Part-42
Rathore fired at the goons making sure all their attention was on him and Arjun so that Ayesha , Riya can escape with Anvi safely.
"Arjun sir."
He heard Riya's scream and whipped his head to her only to find the reason she was terrified for.
A man from behind had his gun aimed from a distance and the gun point was towards Arjun.
Rathore reacted fast by charging towards Arjun pushing him to the ground and at the same time shooting at the man but it was too late since man had already shot a bullet.
Arjun fell to the ground even before he got the chance to react to Riya's call, and the next thing he heard was a gunshot sound.
Getting on his knees with gun in his one hand , he tried to figure out the circumstances, when Rathore fell right beside him with his hand clutching his abdomen that had started bleeding.
"Sir."
Riya, Ayesha rushed to a heavily breathing Rathore ,while Arjun just stared at him perplexed.
_________________
Rathore was rushed to the emergency unit right after his team dealt with the goons, and the police were sent to the farmhouse to pile up the injured, dead ones and assist Vardhan's family till they find a safer place for them.
All the ETF members stood outside the OT since the doctors took Rathore for an immediate surgery and none refused to move from there even to treat their own injuries.
Ayesha stood staring at the OT door with tear filled eyes ,with Sakshi ,Riya standing by her side , Chhotu sat beside Shree looking all worried, when Riya looked back stealing a glance at Arjun standing a little far from them.
Even though he didn't show any reaction like others ,but the silence he was immersed in and the way his head was hanging low ever since he carried Rathore to the ambulance were enough to narrate the inner turmoil he was fighting with quietly.
After few hours the doctors came out of the OT and everyone except Arjun rushed towards them ,while Arjun stood attentively.
"Doctor Rathore sir kaise hain.?"
Ayesha asked first , holding her breathe for a moment.
"He is fine. Bullet nikal diya hai humne,aur luckily koi organ damage nahi hua hai. But he needs rest."
The doctor replied , and watched everyone breathing in relief.
" Toh doctor hum sir se mil sakte hain.?"
Shree questioned.
"Abhi nahi , unhe jab general ward me shift kiya jaayega tab aap mil sakte hain. Unhe hosh aane me time lagega."
The doctor answered and walked away from there.
Ayesha released the breathe she was holding till then and closed her eyes covering her face with her hands breaking down in to tears.
Riya held her tightly rubbing her back ,when Sakshi caressed her hair.
"Ayesha ab kyun ro rahi ho? Tumne suna nahi Sameer thik hai, kuch ghanto me tumse bhi baat bhi karega."
"haan Ayesha kya bachon ki tarah ro rahi ho."
Shree shook his head.
"Achha?
Abhi thodi dair pehle bench pe kaun ro raha tha.?"
Chhotu narrowed his gaze at him, shutting Shree's mouth.
"Ayesha ab toh apna pair bandage karwa lo, kahin aesa na ho ki Rathore sir uthe aur unse milne ke liye khadi bhi na ho pao."
Riya joked eyeing Ayesha's injured ankle.
"Per Rathore sir.?"
Ayesha asked wiping her tears.
"Arey hum aajayenge na wapas thodi dair me. kitna hi time lagega ek bandage ke liye."
Riya assured her, thus Ayesha agreed meanwhile Chhotu literally forced Shree,Sakshi to get treated and then he walked towards Arjun.
"Sir aapke hath se khoon beh raha hai , aap bandage kara dijiye."
He said eyeing Arjun's hand that had a cut due to a bullet brushing past and luckily it didn't look too deep.
"Mai thik hun."
Arjun answered straight folding arms across his chest, as he stood leaning his back on the wall staring at the floor.
Chhotu sighed angling his head to Riya who stood at a distance eyeing them only and Chhotu shook his head at her.
Riya thought something motioning him to stay there ,while she went away bringing a nurse with her.
"yahan kisko chot...oh aap ko.?"
The nurse said noticing Arjun's hand then looked up to him.
"Chaliye aapki bandage karana hai."
"Mai kahin nahi jaa raha hun aur mujhe kuch karwana bhi nahi hai."
Arjun replied sternly standing up straight and unfolded his arms dangling the injured one to a side.
"Thik hai toh mai yahin pe kar deti hun bandage.
Aap ye pakdo."
The nurse handed the tray she had brough, to Chhotu then turned to Arjun.
"Ab aap apna hath upar kariye aur vo sleeve bhi."
"Maine kaha na mujhe kuch nahi...."
Before Arjun could complete Riya walked up to him and held up his hand unbuttoning his sleeve button pulling the sleeve up a little by herself.
"Kar kya rahi ho tum.?"
Arjun snapped at her trying to snatch his hand away but she refused to let it go neither looking up to him nor answering him, whereas Chhotu gulped a little seeing the rage in Arjun's eyes.
The nurse gave them a weird look, but nevertheless started cleaning his wound with Chhotu holding the tray and Riya holding Arjun's hand all this time who strangely let the nurse do her work without any yelling.
Once after she was done bandaging his hand , took the tray from Chhotu's hand and looked up to Arjun.
"Aap ek tetanus shot le lijiyega baad me."
The nurse left and Riya spoke up.
"Sorry sir."
She walked away from there followed by Chhotu ,whereas Arjun released a sharp breathe keeping mum.
After a few more hours of wait the doctor informed them about Rathore coming back to his senses , and without any delay they sprinted to the special room allocated to him and Shree pushed the door open letting everyone in when Rathore on bed turned his head to them.
"Tum sab thik ho. Aur NItya aur Anvi.?"
He asked eyeing each of them.
"aap thik hain.?"
Ayesha asked in urgency.
"Sir vo dono bhi thik hain."
Shree answered him.
"Sir hum toh thik hain per aap kaise hain.?"
Chhotu asked next.
"Mai thik hun kuch nahi hua hai mujhe.
Aur tum log kya itne ghanto se yahin ho ? Wapas nahi gaye.?"
Rathore asked noticing everyone was still in their bloodstained clothes.
"Sameer hum tumse mile bina kaise chale jaate?"
Sakshi questioned.
"Err sir aap sach me thik hai na.?"
Riya asked sounding concerned, thus Rathore sighed at them.
"Kuch nahi hua mujhe. Ek mamuli goli lagi thi bas. Tum log wapas chale jao farmhouse rest karo, uske baad hame case ke baare me bhi sochna hai."
Rathore said firmly.
"Kya? Sir doctor ne aapko rest karne ke liye kaha hai."
Ayesha reminded him.
"Ayesha itna zyada kuch nahi hua hai jo rest karne ki jar......"
"Jarurat hai. Aap rest kijiye sir case hum dekh lenge."
Ayesha said cutting off his words short.
"Haan sir Ayesha sahi keh rahi hai, aap ko rest karna chahiye abhi."
Shree said agreeing to Ayesha.
"Aur rahi case ki baat toh sir Vardhan ki family safe hai, aur jo kaam reh gaya hai vo hum kar lenge."
Riya added.
"Wese bhi Kabir ko humne pakad hi liya hai , usse sach ugal wana baaki hai bas."
Chhotu piped in.
"Tum log samajh nahi rahe ho ….."
Rathore started speaking only to be interrupted by Sakshi this time.
"Sameer tum samajh nahi rahe ho ki agar tum abhi se kaam karne lagoge toh hum sabka dhyan tum pe hi rahega case pe nahi.
Aur ye bichari Ayesha tumhari chinta me kitna ro rahi thi pata hai ? Uska toh socho, tum aaram karoge toh usse achha lagega.
Arjun tum bhi kuch bolo na."
Rathore looked up to Arjun who was standing quietly behind everyone and he sighed.
"Thik hai mai yahin hun.
Per kabir pakda jaa chuka hai ye baat ab tak uske dusre saathyon ko pata chal chuka hoga , aur isse pehle ki vo phir se Vardhan ki family pe attack karne ki koshish kare hame unn tak pahunchna hai."
Everyone nodded their heads at him , and Rathore spoke again.
"Ek aur baat jab tak mai wapas nahi aata tab tak Rawte ETF ka acting chief hai, tum sab Rawte ko report karoge."
"Ok sir."
"itne log andar mat rukiye. Patient ko rest karne dijiye."
A nurse informed them entering the room and left.
"Sir aap rest kijiye hum chalte hain."
Chhotu said while Ayesha kept staring at Rathore who nodded his head at her assuring her quietly ,thus one after another everyone started leaving the room.
Rathore turned his head to the other side closing his eyes feeling too exhausted , when he sensed someone's presence and he knew who it was.
"Agar kuch kehna hai toh kaho, mere sar pe khade mat raho."
Rathore said bitterly after a moment of silence , without opening his eyes.
"Tumhe kuch nahi kehna hai mujhse.?"
Arjun asked, and hence Rathore jolted his lashes up turning to him confused.
"Mujhe jo kehna tha mai keh chuka hun aur kya baaki hai.?"
Arjun waited for him to speak or to blame him for his injuries but that never came, instead Rathore kept looking at him puzzled.
"Ab bataoge bhi?"
Rathore chided.
"kuch nahi.
Commissioner sir ne call kiya tha aur kaha tha tumhe hosh aate hi unhe phone karne ke liye, toh unse baat kar lena."
Arjun murmured and was about to leave only to be stopped by Rathore.
"Ek min tumne kya baat kiya hai Commissioner sir se.?"
"Kis baare me janna chahte ho.?"
Arjun asked back and Rathore for a moment parted his lips to say something then shut them shaking his head.
"Kuch nahi."
Arjun stared at him for few seconds then spoke up.
"Mere liye goli lene ki jarurat nahi thi."
________________
"Guys guesthouse me jitne ghayal huye sab issi hospital me hain , toh kyun na hum sabka statement le le.?"
Riya suggested as soon as her friends finished eating from the canteen, while she chose to have water only considering the hospital hygiene.
"Hm idea sahi hai. "
Chhotu agreed.
"haan toh phir chalo ye ek aakhri kaam khatam karke jaate hain."
Sakshi agreed too.
"per mai kya kehti hun statement lene ke baad tum log chale jaana , mai Rathore sir ke paas rukungi."
Ayesha murmured.
"Arey per Ayesha Rathore sir ne khud sabko kaha jaane ke liye, ab tum wapas jaogi toh sir kahin naaraj na ho tumpe."
Shree said objecting her idea.
"Nahi per…."
"Nahi thik hai agar Ayesha rukna chahti hai toh ruk sakti hai, humme se ek fresh hoke aayega tab Ayesha chali jayegi fresh hone."
Riya said supporting her idea , knowing Ayesha was yearning to be with Rathore and Ayesha smiled.
"Thik hai phir chalo."
Sakshi walked ahead and others followed while Riya sighed thinking of something.
"Tumhe kya hua ? Kis soch me pad gayi.?"
Chhotu asked noticing her face.
"vo …Arjun sir hamare sath Rathore sir ke room se bahar nahi aaye , dono sayad abhi bhi ek sath hain."
Riya mumbled.
"toh ? Tumhe lag raha hai vo dono abhi ladh rahe honge.?"
Chhotu chuckled.
"Nahi vo baat nahi hai per…"
Riya trailed not knowing how to say it, while Chhotu looked at her intently.
"Kya hua bolo na."
Riya released a deep sigh staring up to him.
"Tumhe pata hai na chhotu Rathore sir pehle se case ke liye mana kar rahe the, per Arjun sir zidd karke yahan aagaye the."
Chhotu nodded his head positively while she continued.
"Aur ab Arjun sir ko bachane me Rathore sir ko goli lagi, toh mujhe darr hai kahin Rathore sir inn sabke liye Arjun sir ko blame na kare.
Mai jaanti hun Rathore sir bhi apni jagah sahi hain per agar vo khud kuch kahenge toh Arjun sir pata nahi kaise react karenge.
Vo dono dikhate nahi hain per ek dusre ke baaton se bahut fark padta hai unhe."
"Riya , agar Rathore sir bolenge na toh unhe bolne de, aur agar iss wajah se dono me jhagda bhi hota hai toh hone de. Pata hai kyun?
Kyunki unn dono me se kisi ek ko toh bolna padega.
Bhale hi humne kabhi unka purana friendship nahi dekha hai , per aaj jis stage pe dono hai na agar tab dono me se koi ek ladh leta toh sayad aaj unka rishta pehle jaisa hi hota.
Vo dono chup rahe aur saari baatein apne andar rakha issliye aaj aese ho gaye hain.
Issliye agar ladhne se sab thik ho jaata hai toh ladh lene do unko.
Samjhi ? Ab chalo ..itni si baat pe itna tension le rahi ho."
Chhotu smiled at her, thus Riya nodded in understanding then they went ahead to join others.
___________________________________________
"Maine tumhare liye nahi kiya, ETF ka chief hone ke naate kiya. Tumhari jagah team ka koi bhi member hota toh mai wohi karta."
Rathore replied curtly.
"Toh mujhe apni responsibility se bahar rakho, kyunki koi mere liye kuch sacrifice kare mujhe pasand nahi hai."
Arjun chirped straight.
"Haan jaanta hun, tum ye issliye keh rahe ho kyunki tumhe jaldi hai resign karne ki.
Per ek baat mai tumhe bata dun agar tum 1 ghante ke liye bhi ETF member rahoge tab bhi tum mere responsibility me aate ho, chahe tumhe pasand ho ya na ho.
Kyunki apni responsibilities se bhaagne ki adat nahi hai mujhe."
Rathore gritted his teeth.
"Mai kahin bhaaga nahi tha Rathore."
Arjun said calmly.
"Situation ka samna karne ke wajaye usse pichha chhudane ko bhaagna hi kehte hain Rawte.
Agar kuch shuru karne ki himmat rakhte ho toh usse khatam karne ki himmat bhi rakho.
Akele tum nahi ho jisne zindagi me kuch khoya hai, yahan aye din koi na koi apno ko kho raha hai per sab tumhari tarah laparwaah nahi ho jaate.
Aur tumhe ye sab kehna ka koi matlab nahi hai, kyunki karna tumhe wahi hai jo tum chahte ho.
Bhale hi team ki zimmedari tumhare liye jaruri na ho, per Vardhan aur uski family ke liye jo zimmedari uthane yahan aye the kam se kam jaane se pehle usse sahi se khatam karo."
Rathore breathed in a go, then grabbed something from under his pillow forwarding it to Arjun.
Arjun stared at the pen drive in his hand ,then at him before taking the pen drive from his hand and left the room quietly.
By the time Riya excused herself from her friends to check on the two chief and came to Rathore's room only to find Rathore fast asleep on the bed, and Arjun was nowhere In the sight.
Confused, she walked out of the hospital to check the parking lot but found the car still parked there making her aware of his presence still inside.
Walking back in she randomly walked across the floors checking through every possible space he could be at, until her feet stopped moving on spotting him in a corridor sitting on a bench leaning forward with both of his hands on the either sides of the bench.
His posture seemed rigid with his eyes gazing at the floor and he looked far from calm his outer self appeared to be.
Riya walked towards him sitting down on the other end of the bench quietly , while he dwelled upon his inner turmoil for a brief period.
Riya remained seated watching people passing through the corridor including doctors, patients, hospital staff ,some more people probably visiting someone in the hospital, keeping mum all this while without trying to make him aware of her presence beside him, when suddenly he got up and walked away in a jiff leaving her alone behind ,as she sat watching his retreating figure.
She came out of the hospital after getting a call from Shree , where all except Ayesha were waiting for her to go back to the farmhouse.
"Kahan reh gayi thi itni dair.?"
Sakshi questioned.
"Kuch nahi mai bas aese hi...umm Ayesha ruki Rathore sir ke pass.?"
Riya asked back diverting the topic from her.
"Haan hum bhi gaye the Sameer se milne per vo rest kar raha hai , toh Ayesha wahin ruk gayi aur hum bahar aagaye."
Sakshi replied.
"Achha .."
"Ab jaldi chalo hum wapas ayenge toh Ayesha jaa payegi phir."
Chhotu said hurriedly.
"Haan per Arjun sir..."
"Ri Arjun sir toh chale gaye already."
Shree interrupted her,and watched her checking for the other car.
"Sir gaye? Per kahan.?"
She asked .
"Ye toh pata nahi per mera tab leke gaye hain. Aur maine puchha toh kuch bataya bhi nahi."
"Oh."
Riya nodded ,and they left from there for the farmhouse deciding to catchup with Arjun later.
____________________________
Arjun went straight to the police station where Kabir was kept under surveillance and entered the interrogation room.
"Sir, ye sari galti apne pe le raha hai. Bol raha hai issi ne sab kuch kiya hai ,kisi aur ka hath nahi hai isme."
An officer informed him.
"Sab bahar jao aur jab tak mai na kahun kisiko andar mat aane dena."
Arjun asked the officer who hesitated a little , but nevertheless followed his order.
"Koi zinda hai ya sab marr gaye.?"
Kabir asked sounding nonchalant and the next moment he was grabbed by his collar and pushed back to the wall with a hard punch on his face.
"Agar kisiko kuch hua hota toh mai tujhe itne me nahi chhodta. Samjhe ya samjhaoon.?"
Arjun raised his brow grabbing him by his collar again making him sit back on the chair.
"Mujhe kuch puchh ke koi faida nahi hai Officer , mai apna statement de chuka hun. Ye sab kuch maine kiya aur mai apni saza ke liye taiyar hun."
Kabir huffed wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Kisne kaha mai tumse kuch puchhne aaya hun ? Mai toh bas kuch dikhane aya hun."
Arjun answered, playing a video on the tab and put it on the table in front of him to see.
At first Kabir's face shrunk in confusion then in realization recognizing the video was taken inside the factory of cocaine being carried out to the truck , and even featured him along with some other people from inside the factory.
"Mai chahta toh ye video sidha media me release kar sakta tha per mai aesa karunga nahi."
Kabir looked up to Arjun in surprise, when he continued speaking.
"Mai ye bhi jaanta hun tum sara ilzam apne sar pe kyun le rahe ho , kyunki tumhe pata hai tumhe yahan se bahar nikal diya jaayega.
Aur issliye mai abhi bahar media me ye bolne wala hun ki tumne khud statement me inn sare logon ke naam liya hai jo iss video me hai."
"Per maine aesa kuch nahi kaha , jhuth hai ye."
Kabir shouted.
"Jhuth sirf tumhare liye per duniya ke liye yahi sach hoga.
Aur uske baad pata hai kya hoga? Jin logon ke liye tum apni wafadari dikha rahe ho wohi log tumhare jaan ke dushman ban jaayenge.
Partner banaya tha ne unhone tumhe? Aur ab ye sab kuch tumne hi kiya hai ye saabit karne ke liye tumhare khilaf sare saboot vo hamare paas bhej denge, aur jarurat padi toh vo log kisiko maar bhi denge thik wese hi jaise tumne Vardhan ke sath kiya tha."
"Huh. Koshish achhi hai tumhari officer per mujhe pata hai tum log aesa kabhi nahi kar sakte. Apne rules aur regulations ke ghulam ho tum sab."
Kabir chuckled.
"Meri ek bahut buri adat hai Kabir , maine aage pichhe sochna saalo se chhod diya hai.
Issliye mujhe chhod ke tum apni fikr karo.
Bhale hi baaki sabko saja na mile, per mai vo har chiz karne wala hun jisse tum phir kabhi bahar ki duniya nahi dekh paoge.
Tumhari bhi ek family hai , ek beta hai tumhara.
Phir bhi kuch paison ke liye tumne na sirf apne dost ka bharosa toda , uski chhoti si beti ko bhi maarne ki koshis ki tumne.
Ab apni family se milne ke liye bhi tum tadapte rahoge ,aur jin logon ka tumne sath diya wohi tumhe kuchal ke aage nikal jaayenge."
Arjun chirped in a serious tone.
"Aesa kabhi nahi hoga."
Kabir murmured in a low voice, to which Arjun didn't reply and got up from his chair.
"Tum aesa nahi kar sakte. Tum jhuth nahi bol sakte bahar. "
Kabir shouted hastily and Arjun leaned over the table looking straight at him.
"Jab apni baari aayi toh darr lag raha hai tumhe, per jab yahi chiz tumne ek honest police officer ke sath kiya tha tab tumhe maza araha tha.?"
Arjun threw a glare at him, took the tab and started leaving the room only to be stopped by Kabir.
"Thik hai ...Thik hai ..maine akele nahi kiya hai ye sab, aur bhi log shamil hai isme."
"Saboot kya hai ki aur log bhi hain tumhare sath.?"
Arjun asked turning around to face him.
"ye video abhi jo dikhaya vo hai na saboot.?"
Kabir pointed at the tab in Arjun's hand , sounding puzzled.
"Iss video ke baare me tumhe aur mujhe chhod ke kisiko nahi pata.
Aur jaise ki maine tumhe kaha tha ye video mai kisiko nahi dikhaunga."
Arjun said narrowing his gaze making Kabir groan.
"Mere paas sabke call recording hai , maal kahan le jaana hai kisko dena hai sari details call me bataya jaata tha.
Jin jin logon ko maine maal pahunchaya hai sab ka factory ke owner ke sath link hai, maine kuch video footages rakhe hain mere paas.
Jab Vardhan ko fasane ki planning ki gayi thi uss victim ki family ko darake case file karne ki video recording ki gayi thi , taaki baaki sabko bhi pata chale ki plan successful raha."
Kabir breathed in a go.
"Aur chandar aur Rajesh? Dono zinda hai ya unhe bhi maar diya.?"
Arjun questioned.
"Chandar ko Om Prakash ne pehle hi maar diya tha. Rajesh jinda hai aur factory me rakha hai usse."
Replied Kabir, then added quickly.
"Per saare saboot ke badle mujhe meri family ki protection chahiye aur tum log sara ilzam mujhe pe nahi daloge ye guarantee bhi deni hogi."
_______________________
"Guys ye dekho...."
Sakshi came running to Shree's room where all of her friends were present discussing what to do next ,and showed them her mobile.
"hua kya.?"
Chhotu asked.
"Arey thik se dekho. Arjun ne department ke official portal pe iss case ke baare likha hai aur uske sath sath sare proofs attach kar diye hain.
Kisine ye footages media me leak kiya hai."
"Kya.?"
Shree, Riya said in union before they grabbed their respective phones and searched the portal.
Before they could react Shree's phone rang with Arjun's number, which he answered quickly.
"Yes sir."
"Shree, sabko leke factory pahuncho."
Arjun said quickly and disconnected the call.
On reaching the factory with a warrant they passed the main gate few men stopped them from entering further.
"yahan bahar ke logon ka aana mana hai."
One man said in a strict voice.
Arjun took of his goggles giving them a blank look, when Chhotu spoke up.
"Tumhe pata hai hum kaun hai.?"
"jo bhi ho yahan police ke andar jaane ke liye bhi permission chahiye. Issliye pehle permission leke…."
The man paused himself on hearing the sounds of siren and looked over their shoulder only to find a number of police jeeps stopping by the gate.
Confused the men eyed the police jeeps ,then at the ETF team and asked.
"Kaun ho tum log.?"
None of them answered instead Arjun shoved the man aside by his head walking ahead inside , his team following from behind and the rest of the armed police force went after them.
There in the hospital Rathore watched the news on the tv with Ayesha beside him and Ayesha was visibly surprised with the outcome whereas Rathore remained calm.
"Sir hamare paas proofs the toh hum authorities ko inform kar sakte the, Arjun sir ne portal pe kyun post kiya sab kuch.?"
Ayesha questioned.
"Kyunki agar hum authorities ko inform karte toh 100% chances the koi action lene se pehle saboot mit jaane ke.
Jitne logon ka naam nikla hai ye sab aese hi itni badi racket nahi chalate , Vardhan ke station ke SHO ki tarah na jaane hamare hi department ke kitne officers honge jo baithe hain inn jaise criminals ko bachane ke liye."
Rathore replied calmly.
"Toh aapko pata tha Arjun sir aesa karne wale hain.?"
Ayesha asked again.
"Nahi . "
Came Rathore's quick answer.
"Per agar aap Arjun sir ki jagah hote toh sayad yahi karte , hai na.?"
Ayesha narrowed her gaze at him, to which he kept mum.
"Aap aur Arjun sir kabhi kabhi ek tarah hi sochte hain."
Ayesha commented , earning a pointed look from him.
"Aesa kuch nahi hai. Meri aur Rawte ki soch kabhi ek jaisi nahi ho sakti.
Rawte ne bas aesi jagah sare proofs de diye jahan se koi chah ke bhi kuch nahi kar sakta aur na hi khudko expose kar sakta hai. Ab jo bhi ispe objection nikalega sabse pehle ussi pe investigation hoga.
Toh Ye sabse safest solution hai."
"toh aap maante hain ki Arjun sir ne achha kaam kiya.?"
"Maine aesa nahi kaha. Tum meri baaton ka galat matlab mat nikalo."
Rathore chided , meanwhile Ayesha chuckled thus Rathore looked away from her shifting his attention to the tv.
"Arjun, tumne kaha tha hamare paas pendrive tha, toh kya vo kaafi nahi tha sabko arrest karne ke liye.?"
Sakshi asked standing beside him, as they watched people from the factory getting arrested, some getting dragged to the van.
"Kaafi hai bhi aur nahi bhi. Bhale hi video factory ke andar liye gaya hai, per itna clear nahi hai. Usme sare log nahi hain jitne bhi racket mile huye hain. "
Arjun answered with his arms folded across his chest ,and he kept looking ahead.
"toh sir aapko kaise pata chala Kabir ke pass bhi proofs hai.?"
Chhotu asked approaching him.
"Yahan sare bade naam hai chhotu, aur inn logon ke liye Kabir sirf ek mohra hai. Inko agar kahin se bhi lagta ki Kabir se inko khatra ho sakta hai ,toh kabir ko apne raaste se hatane me dair nahi karte.
Ye baat Kabir bhi bahut achhe se jaanta hai, issliye usne sabse pehle apne bachav ke liye sare saboot rakhe hain aur issliye vo itni confidence se sare ilzam apne pe le raha tha .
Kyunki usse pata tha saboot ke badle ye log usse bacha lenge police se."
Arjun explained.
"Iska matlab abhi agar ye log arrest nahi hote toh Kabir ko raaste se hatane ki planning kar chuke hote."
Chhotu murmured thoughtfully, just when Shree came running to them from inside.
"Sir baaki sabko unke ghar se arrest kar liya gaya hai, aur inn workers me kuch ladies bhi hain Riya unhe bahar leke arahi hai."
Shree informed ,to which Arjun nodded his head.
Few minutes later Riya came out followed by lady constables who took away the female workers , and Riya walked to the team.
"Pure 35 staffs ko arrest kiya gaya hai, jinme 12 ladies hain. Aur Rajesh ko hospital le gaye hain."
Riya informed them.
"Bahut bahaduri ka kaam kiya hai Rajesh ne vo video shoot karke."
Chhotu mumbled.
"Haan per usko drugs deke yahan rakha gaya tha, halath bahut kharab hai uski."
Riya sighed.
"ye sab me ek sabse acchi baat hai ab Vardhan bahar aajayega, Anvi kitni khush ho jayegi nahi.?"
Sakshi smiled.
"Hmm bahut pareshan huye hain Vardhan aur uski family ,ab unki safety ko leke bhi koi chinta nahi hai."
Shree nodded his head, while Riya angled her head to Arjun who was standing quietly and she fidgeted with her fingers hesitating to ask him something she wanted to ask ever since he left the hospital.
Shree, Chhotu , Sakshi walked to the SUV after wrapping up the rest of the procedures , when Riya stayed behind with Arjun.
"Sir aap thik hain.?"
She asked in a low voice ,staring at him.
Arjun whipped his head to her at the unexpected question , then looked back ahead not answering her.
_____________
"Sir thank you bahut chhota sabd hai aap sabke liye, per jis tarah aap sab ne apni jaan pe khelke meri family ko bachaya hai uske liye thank you. Aap logon ka ye ehsan me zindagi bhar yaad rakhunga."
Vardhan said earnestly, while his wife nodded beside him.
"Isme ehsan ki koi baat nahi hai Vardhan, tum apna farz kar rahe the aur hum apna.
Asli taarif ke qabil tum khud ho , ki tum itna sab kuch hone ke baad bhi case se pichhe nahi hatte.
Iss case ka pura credit tumhe jaata hai."
Rathore murmured sitting on the hospital bed , with his team standing beside him.
"case maine shuru toh kiya tha per aap logon ke bina kabhi khatam nahi ho paata.
Mujhe toh abhi bhi yakin nahi ho raha hai Kabir aesa kar sakta hai mere sath."
Vardhan sighed.
"Kabir ne jo kiya uski saja usko jarur milegi. Bas tumhe vo ek sabak sikha gaya logon pe biswas karo per aankhein khula rakh ke."
Chhotu said.
"ji sir mai aage se dhyan rakhunga."
Vardhan agreed with him.
"Anvi aap chup kyun ho? Ab toh aapke papa bhi agaye ab aapko kuch nahi kehna apne papa se.?"
Riya asked noticing her standing quietly beside her mother all this time.
"Vo unse milte hi bahut sare complain kar chuki hai."
Nitya informed them , making everyone except Arjun chuckle when Anvi glanced at her father then at everyone before walking towards Rathore's bed.
"Aapko meri wajah se chot lagi na.?"
She asked Rathore.
"Nahi aesa nahi hai. Ye toh hamara kaam hi aesa hai kabhi kabhi lag jaati hai, aapki wajah se nahi hua."
Rathore smiled assuring her, and watched her forwarding him a teddy bear she was holding.
"ye meri favorite teddy hai , aap rakh sakte ho ."
Rathore stared at the teddy then at her falling short of words while others looked amused.
"Aapki favorite teddy hai na ? Aapko chahiye nahi.?"
Rathore asked.
"Nahi. Mai jab bhi beemar hoti hun isse apne paas rakhti hun ,aapne kaha na aapko chot lagti rehti hai toh isse apne paas rakhna jaldi thik ho jaoge."
Anvi answered, thus Rathore stared at her for a moment before taking the teddy from her and put it near his pillow.
"Anvi kitni sweet hai na.?"
Ayesha murmured.
"Haan."
Riya smiled answering.
"Anvi hum tumhe bahut miss karenge."
Sakshi said smiling at her.
"Aur chhotu uncle aap.?"
Anvi looked at him narrowing her gaze.
"Arey mai bhi. Yaad hai na hum dono ki favorite ice-cream flavor same hai.?"
Anvi nodded her head at him , then shifted her gaze to Shree walking upto him.
"Mai bhi aapko bahut miss karunga.
Hum agar kabhi chuti me yahan ayenge toh aap se milenge bhi aur khelenge bhi."
Shree gave her a wide smile.
"Chhuti aur iss janam me ? Nahi milne wala."
Sakshi murmured near Chhotu's ear who chuckled in return.
Anvi smiled back and Ayesha caressed her head meanwhile Riya bent down to her level.
"Ab toh aapke sare dost aapke sath khelenge.khub maze karna."
Anvi grinned then moved to where Arjun was standing quietly and she stood staring up to him folding arms across her chest imitating him.
Arjun released a sharp breathe staring down at her and asked.
"Kuch kehna hai.?"
Anvi nodded positively thus he having no other option bent down on his one knee and waited for her to speak.
"Aapne thik kaha tha mere papa mujhe aur proud feel karane gaye the. Ab toh mujhe zyada proud feel hota hai ki mere papa police officer hain."
Arjun's face softened at her smile as he nodded his head slowly , when she unfolded her arms wrapping them around his neck and patted his back with her little hand.
"Aap bhi itna gussa mat kiya karo, nahi toh kisiko dikhega hi nahi ki aap care karte ho."
Everyone watched Arjun falling speechless under the embrace of the little girl as he lightly patted her back before she ran back to her parents.
"Umm sir mai kya kehti hun abhi thodi dair me raat ho jayegi toh adhi raat ko aap log itni dur jaaye isse achha aap log subah chale jaayiye ,aur raat ko hamare yahan ruk jaiye."
Nitya spoke up grabbing everyone's attention.
"Tum bhi kaho na."
Nitya nudged her husband, who quickly agreed to her suggestion.
"Haan sir Nitya sahi keh rahi hai. Mai jaanta hun aap sabko jaane ki jaldi hai per bas ek aur raat yahan ruk jaiye ,kal subah hum aapko rokenge nahi."
Vardhan said.
"Per….."
Rathore started speaking , only to be interrupted by Nitya.
"Sir mana mat kijiye. Aapko wese bhi rest ki jarurat hai, bas ek raat ki hi baat hai."
Rathore sighed moving his gaze to Arjun who kept mum ,and Rathore knew the answer.
"Thik hai. Hum sab kal subah niklenge."
He announced , and Anvi was the first to react by clapping her hands happily.
"Maza ayega."
Everyone except Arjun chuckled ,whereas Arjun simply walked out of the room.
____________________
"Kabhi kabhi andhera bhi bahut jaruri hota hai, insan ki taqat , himmat parakhne ke liye…
Kaun apna hai kaun paraya yahi andhera hame bata deta hai,
Kuch ussi andhere me tut ke bikhar jaate hain , aur kuch usse kaat ke aage nikal aate hain."
Sakshi ,sitting on the bed wrote the lines in her diary taking a sip from her coffee mug ,and continued writing.
"Kuch beshabri se subah ka intezar karte hain,aur kuch ussi andhere me panah dhund lete hain."
Shree,chhotu were passing the ball playing with Anvi in the hall, Vardhan sat with his wife on the dining table with two coffee mugs chit chatting , Ayesha in the hospital was passing medicines to Rathore who made a face but nevertheless took them on her insistence, whereas Riya sat on a chair on the terrace with airbuds plugged in her ears and enjoyed the cool breeze gazing at the star filled sky.
"Kuch ne andhere me hi apna baseraa bana liya hai. Per kisiko nahi pata aane wali subah apne sath kya leke aayegi."
Arjun walked to the terrace but stopped on noticing Riya on a chair in the center with her back facing him calmly enjoying the gentle wind and he decided not to call her , instead walked to one side of the terrace behind her and stood near the railing staring up to the sky.
"Kabhi kabhi hame andhere ki itni adat ho jaati hai ki hum subah ke chamak se darne lagte hain. Per jaise andhere ka jaana tay hai , wese hi subah ka aana bhi tay hai."
Tbc.
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