SS2 FF Full Update (Parts I - IV)

Full Update of SS2 FF will be consolidated in this thread.... No comments please 😛

Aryan gasps and takes long breathes. Dipika and everyone are shocked.

Dipika(shocked): Aryan, Aryan...are you okay.

Everyone gets a ray of hope on thier face.

Ganesh: Dipika ji, hum Aryan ko pass ke GH tak le chalna chahiye.

Neha: Lekin Dipika lagta nahin us hospital me Aryan ka is serious situation me treatment ho sakta he.

Dipika: Neha hum atleast Aryan ka first aid to kar sakte hein. Phir hum Nasik ya mumbai hospital chalenge.

Dipika again checks Aryan's pulse.

Dipika: Hume jald se jald Aryan ko hospital lekar jaana padega.Boxer jaldi jao,SS ka gaadi jungle ke bahar hai. Tum gaadi ko jitna jungle ke andar la sakte ho lao. Ajay, Shotgun Aryan ko sambhalkar uthana. Careful. Ganesh tum hamare saath hi rehna. Jab hum Mumbai jayenge tumhe lekar jayenge.

Ganesh nods.

Everyone start walking out of the jungle.

The hospital was a general hospital. It had only the basic but not much of higher facilities or equipments.

Dipika and Neha came to the ICU door. On the way Dipika removed her coat and gave to her Neha. A lot of questions were in both of their eyes, for which they knew the answers and also did not.

Dipika turns to go into the, when Neha catches her hand.
She had tears rolling down her eyes.
Neha:......... (opened her mouth but nothing came out).
Dipika:Ghabarao mat.Kaali maa hain.

Dipika gave Neha a hug. Who was giving whom an assure was not known, as they both gave each other a reassuring hug. A second only it lasted, as they knew the emergency.

Dipika nodded, wiped her tears. Looked at Shalini and Magan and indicated them to follow her and went inside.Shalini and Magan followed her.

By this time Ganesh, Shotgun, Boxer and Ajay had managed to remove his blood soaked coat, shirt and his belt to remove the pressure from his stomach.

Dipika looking at Aryan, rolling her sleeves neared him, to his right.

Dipika:(in a tear strained voice, checking at Aryan's wound) Boxer, Ajay tum log bahar jao.
Ajay:Hum yahein rehte hain.Koi madad chahiye to..?
Dipika:(checking the wound and not convinced of what she thought, bcoz the wound seemed very bad)Its okay Ajay. Waise bhi yahan rehne se kuch nahin hoga, tum Neha ke saath raho.Vo bahut tensed hai. Madad chahiye ho to mein zaroor bulaungee.
Boxer:Haan, mamu hum chalte hain.
Ajay:Take care.
Dipika:(gives a smile and nods)

Boxer and Ajay go outside. Neha sees them.They assure her and they wait outside.

Dipika:(Shalini se)Yahan sterilized gauzes,gloves aur instruments hain naa? Shalini:Haan madam, hain. Laayoon?
Dipika: Please aur jaldi.
Shalini: Theek hai madam. Abhi le aaye.

When Shalini came out,Neha tried stopping her to ask about Aryan.

Neha:Aryan..
Shalini:(interrupting with consideration)Madam, ab kuch nahin kaha ja sakta. Mein jaldi me hoon.Please...

Neha lets her go. Shalini smiles consolingly and hurries to get the needed.

Andar..

Ganesh: Dipika ji,wound bahut gahara hai.Waise bhi aap kya karna chahte hain? Doctor ke bina..?
Dipika:Mujhe pata hai.Ganesh aap ko bullet nikaalna aata hai na.(in a sort of pleading voice) To aap koshish kyun nahin karte? Bullet nikaalne se aada kathra tal jaayega. Phir hum Aryan ko jaldi se bade hospital le chalenge. Atleast he can hold on till then.
Ganesh:Dipika ji. Aap kya keh rahin hain? Haath ya pair ho tho alag baath hai. Goli pet me lagi hai. Ye bahut riski hai.
Shotgun:Haan Dipika, tumhi dekho. Lagta hai goli bahut gahara gaya hai. Shayad pet tak(meaning inside organ) ..

Shalini had returned. Dipika, Shotgun and Ganesh took each pair of gloves and wore it. Dipika and Shotgun started to clean the wounds. Ganesh was helped them.

Dipika:(feeling helpless)Haan Shotgun, mujhe pata hai ye possible nahin. Sirf ek try tha. Atleast bleeding ko rokhna hoga.(looking up from the cleaning process) Shotgun yahan peptic solution to milega na? Ussse bleeding barah gante tak rukti hai, hai na. Woh try karte hain.(shocked)Aryan.....

Aryan had again started to take long breathes.

Dipika:(looking at Magan hurriedly)Jaldi se oxygen mask lao.

Magan hurries to the nearby shelf to get the mask.

Dipika:(to Ganesh) Oxygen cylinder.

Ganesh looked around. He knew there must be an oxygen cylinder in an ICU. He goes and gets the oxygen cylinder kept in the corner of the ICU.

Dipika:Nurse, saline bottle jaldi se ready karna.

Shalini hurries to shelf.

Ganesh and Shotgun immediately fix the mask over Aryan's mouth.

The nurse fixes the saline in the saline hanger. Meanwhile Dipika, taking the nedle from Shalini injects the needle into Aryan's left hand.

Aryan's breathing becomes stable.
Seeing the ECG*, she takes the tags and fixes it on his chest.Checks Aryan's pulse and is satisfied a little. Sighs a relief sigh.

Dipika:Nurse, kya yahan peptic solution hai?
ShaliniNahin madam woh solution yahan nahin hai.
Shotgun:Dipika, yeh ek general hospital hai. Waise sophisticated solutions yahan nahin milenge.
Dipika:(worries)Ab kya karein? Atleast wound ko clean karke dress kar dethe hain. Bleeding zyada hone se pehle,Aryan ko jaldi bade hospital le chalte hain.
Shotgun:Dipika, main ek koshish kar sakta hoon. Tumhe amino aceticia solution pata hai, woh bleeding ko rokta hai na. Lekin woh sirf teen gante kaam karta aur zara harmful hai, skin ke liye. Hum sirf ek baar use kar sakte hain, tab tak to Nasik pahunch jayenge.

Dipika:(widenining her eyes as if she saw a treasure,smiling)Haan, tum use jaldi se tayar karo. Uskeliye common medicinal solutions hi use hota hai na. Vo zaroor yahan milenge.
Shotgun:Haan..Mein jaldi karta hoon.(to Magan) Yahan chemical testing lab to hai na.
Magan:Haan saab. Paas he ka kamra hai.
Shotgun:Jaldi chalo.

They both go outside.

Neha is sitting on the chair with hands on her head. Ajay is leaning on the wall with a hand on Neha's shoulder. Boxer is walking here and there(chakkar maar raha hai).

Shotgun sees them. Boxer is walking with his back towards the ICU, so does not see Shotgun. Ajay takes his hand, hurriedly, off Neha's shoulder to speak to Shotgun. Neha looks up and gets up from the chair seeing him. He nods and hurrriedly goes onto the room nearby.

Neha sits back vexed and Ajay goes back to his position. Boxer on his return walk sees Shotgun disappearing into the nearby room.

Boxer:(to Ajay) Shotgun kahan ja raha hai?

ICU ke andar...

Aryan ka ECG meter.Shows that his heartbeat is very feeble.
Dipika:Nurse, injection ready karo.

The nurse nodded. She knew her work, so she knew what injection must be given for such cases. Shalini gets the injection ready.

Dipika:(to Aryan)Aryan, hold yourself. Please,..... mujhe(stopping) huh..hum sabko dokha mat dena.

Shalini gives injection to Aryan. Dipika once again checks the ECG, Aryan's pulse and saline.Dipika removes her gloves.

Dipika: (to Ganesh)Take care. Abhi aati hoon.

Meanwhile in the nearby room...

Shotgun sees the shelves of solutions and starts searching for the three solutions he wants. He gets them and starts making the solution.Does some tests and is satisfied.

Dipika comes out..

Neha:(hurriedly)Dipika, kya hua. Bahut wait karvaya. What happened? Aryan theek to hai na?
Dipika:Neha, vo ab tak to theek hai. Shotgun bleeding ko rokhne ka solution tayar kar raha hai. Boxer, jaldi se Recepionist se poochkar, ambulance ko tayar karo. Hume Aryan ko ambulance se hi le jaana padega. Oxygen cylinder, saline sab kuch le jaana hai. .

Boxer nods and hurries off towards the reception.

Dipika:Ajay, tum bhi reception jao. Us Receptionist se poochkar sare formalities poora karna. Uske register me sign karna aur SS ka number de dena. Humari vajah se use problem mein nahin fasna chahiye.
Ajay:(hesitently)Theeeeeek..hai.

Nods at Neha and leaves.

Dipika:Neha....

She starts to say something when Shotgun comes outside hurriedly.Seeing Dipika he stops. Shows her the solution and nods with a victorious smile. Dipika too smiles, looks at Neha, nods reassuringly and goes inside. Neha closes her eyes and prays to God.

Andar....

Dipika immediately wears her gloves, soaks the solution in a gauze cotton and places it on the wound. There is a light sizzle and the bleeding reduces. Dipika, Shotgun and Ganesh are happy.

Dipika:Magan, jaldi se ek stretcher lao.

Dipika places a sterilized gauze and starts dressing the wound. Ganesh helps her by lifting Aryan, to tie the bandage around his stomach.

Dipika:(dressing the wound)Shotgun, extra saline bottle, oxygen cylinder aur gauzes lena. Raaste me zaroorat pad sakta hai.Nurse, unhe sab kuch de dena.

Shotgun removes his gloves and places it on a table nearby. Shalini takes Shotgun to the last room on the left side of the ICU. Outside Shotgun smiles at Neha, pats her on her shoulders and follows Shalini. It is a repository room and Shotgun takes the needed. Shalini rolls the oxygen cylinder to the ICU.Shotgun carries the gauzes and saline. He gives them to Neha.

Neha:Shotgun, kya hua?
Shotgun:Neha, ise pakdo. Hume ise le jaana hai. Aryan ka bleeding rookh gaya hai, lekin temporarily. Isse pehle uski tabiyat aur bigad jaye, hum use Nasik hospital le ja rahein hain.Tum yahein raho mein abhi aaya.

Neha face clears of all doubts and shows relief. She thanks God.

* ECG-Engiocardiogram-A machine to read heart beats.

It was by now 1.00 p.m. Shotgun went inside to see how was Aryan fairing.

Shotgun: Dipika, solution kaam kar gaya na? No disturbance after that?

Dipika had finished tying the bandage around Aryan's stomach. She was now checking some injections to be taken with and looked up.

Dipika: Shotgun you are a genius. Aryan ki zindagi tumne bacha di. Ab hume thoda bhi samay waste nahin karna chahiye. Ye solution kam samay ke liye he to kaam karta hai aur jitni jaldi goli bahar nikaldein utni acchi. Mein ek minute baahar jaake aati hoon.

Outside Ajay had returned.Dipika went to Neha, caught her shoulders assuringly.

Dipika: (smiling, lloking at Neha) Aryan ab theek hai. (looking at Ajay)Kaam ho gaya?

Ajay: (nods) Formalities tho poora hua. Lekin vo Receptionist Boxer ki baat nahin maan rahi hai. Iseeliye,tumhe batane aaya.

Dipika: (worried)Kya.....Kyun? Ambulance ka intezaam hua ke nahin? What....(looks as Boxer comes)

Boxer comes hurriedly.He had a worried expression on his face.He looked at Dipika.

Dipika: (to Boxer)Kya hua? Yahan ambulance bhi nahin hai kya?

Boxer: Vo, ambulance hai. Lekin use chalane waala koi nahin. Vo driver lagta hai, kal hi kaam chodkar chala gaya aur koi naya driver abhi tak nahin aaya.

Dipika: (frustrated)Ambulance hai na. Boxer, tum ambulance chala sakte ho naa.To.....(Boxer interrupted)

Boxer: (as if feeling guilty)Dipika mujhe ambulance chalana nahin aata. Car, jeep alag baat hai, lekin ambulance tho zara mushkil hai.

Dipika became really worried now.She put her right hand on her head pulling her hair back and kept her left hand on her hip.Neha caught Dipika's shoulder to console her.

Neha: (worried)Dipika....

Ajay: (looking at Dipika and said consolingly)Dipika, pehle ambulance to mile. Agar vo receptionist ambulance le jaane ko manegi tabhi to use chalane ke baare main sochenge.

Boxer: (agrreing with Ajay)Haan, wahi tho.Vo Receptionist maannane ko tayar nahin hai. Use apne naukri chale jaane ka dar hai. Maine kitna samjhaya ki hum SS se hain isliye issse koi problem nahin hoga. Lekin maan nahin rahi hai.

Dipika: (shocked and angry😡)Zindagi ki keemat pata nahin hai kya use?

Dipika: (brightening suddenly)Ganesh..(she thought aloud)

Dipika thought for a second and ordered instructions.

SS team on road. Mission " Save Aryan" going on feverishly.

Dipika: (hurriedly)Ajay tum andar jakar Ganesh se confirm karo ko poochna ki kya use ambulance chalana aata hai? Vo ek fire fighter tha, tho use zaroor pata hoga.

Ajay nods and goes inside.

Dipika: (to Neha) Tum bhi jayoo. Ajay, Shotgun ko bolna ki jaane ki tayari kare. Us compunder se maine ek stretcher ready karne ko kaha tha. Aryan ko us par carefully transfer karna. Maine us nurse se kuch medicines maange hain, raaste ke liye. Use bhi lena. Aur haan ussse ek doosre, full oxygen cylinder ko replace karne ko kehna. Hum koi risk nahin le sakte.

Neha: Dipika.. Lekin ambulance....

Dipika: (determiningly)Phikar mat karo Neha, tum sab intezaam karna. Ambulance to das minute me ready ho jayega. Ganesh ko reception me aane ko kehna.

Boxer and Neha look at her mildly surprised.

Dipika: (looking at Boxer)Boxer,.. mere saath chalo.

At the reception.....

Dipika came striding to the reception, she banged her palm on the table. The Receptionist who was sitting stunned thinking of all that was happening , got up with a jerk. Getting up she toppelled her chair. She was really surprised, shocked, stunned.She looked like a cat wet in the rain.(bheege billi)

Meanwhile inside ICU.....

Ganesh, Shotgun, Magan are waiting. Magan had got a stretcher. Shalini was checking some medicines and putting them in a carry bag,when Ajay enters. Everyone looks at him.

Ajay: (coming hurriedly to Ganesh)Tumhe ambulance chalana aata hai, hai na?

Ganesh: (surprised at such a question)Haan pata hai. Kyun?

Ajay: Aryan ko Nasik hospital le jaana ke liye,ambulance chahiye. Is hospital ka ambulance driver kaam chodkar chala gaya. Is liye aap hi ko ambulance chalana hoga. Theek hai na?

Neha enters.

Ganesh: No problem.

Neha: Ganesh aapko Dipika ne reception me bulaya hai.

Ganesh nods and leaves.

Reception....

Dipika: (looking at the Receptionist, sternly) Ambulance ki chaabi dena.

Recptionist: Lekin madam...Bina permission ke ambulance ko hospital se kaise..

Dipika: (stopping her, she was really angry now) Tum kya keh rahi ho pata hai tujhe. Ek jaan wahan zindagi aur maut ke beech lad rahi hai aur tumhe ki permission ki padi hai. Maine pehle hi kaha tha ki, hum Special Squad se hain. Tumhe koi problem nahin hoga. (in a sort of threating more like mocking voice)Haan agar tumne chaabi nahin de, tho shayad problem hoga. Main abhi Central Medical Association se baath karti hoon. Wahi General Hospitals ke zimmedaar hain. Boxer Association ka number tumhe pata hai na. Please dial karke dena

Boxer knew what Dipika was doing. So he played along. He took out his phone and acted like dialling a number. Dipika kept staring at the Receptionist very sternly and mockingly, to look how she would react.

Ganesh had now come to the reception now. He just looked on at what was going on.

Boxer: Dipika, ring jaa raha hai.

Dipika: Hmm.......

Dipika extends her hands towards him, still looking at the Receptionist. The Receptionist is really scared now.Boxer also extends his hand to give the phone,when suddenly the Receptionist catches Dipika's hand.

Inside CPU......

Neha: Ajay, Dipika ne Aryan ko ambulance me shift karne ka intezaam karne ko kaha.Stretcher.....(looking Magan holding it, she is satisfied)

Ajay nods and gets to work. Shotgun and Ajay remove the ECG tags. Magan places the stretcher in the additional table aside. Neha goes to Shalini.

Neha: (to Shalini)Medicines...?

Shalini: Haan..Isme sab hai.

The nurse shows the carry bag. Neha puts the remaining supplies also in the bag and takes it from Shalini.

Neha: (to Shalini) Ji Aryan ke oxygen cylinder ko naye se replace karna hai.Risk nahin chahate.

Shalini: Theek hai.Magan ek naya cylinder la dena.

Magan nods and leaves.

Reception...

Receptionist: (pleading)Madam, please aisa mat kejiye. Mein ek gareeb ghar se hoon. Ye kaam mujhe zaroori hai. Isliye maine...

The Receptionist starts crying now. Dipika feels sorry for her now.

Dipika: (wiping the Receptionist's tears) Mujhe pata hai tum sirf apna duty kar rahi thi. Lekin is tharah emergency main rules ko thoda dheela kar sakte hain.

Boxer was looking at the Receptionist and now jerked his head towards Dipika.He really was stunned and surprised, this time. He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. She,Dipika had broken many rules, till now. Using the CPU, repository, chemical lab and now ambulance. He just smiled.

CPU...

Magan replaces Aryan's oxygen cylinder with a new one.Then Shotgun and Magan prepare to transfer Aryan onto the stretcher.

Shotgun: Ajay is oxygen cylinder ko wheel karna.

Ajay comes forward and gets hold of the cylinder stand.

Magan: (looking towards the nurse)Shalini, is botal ko pakadna zara.

The nurse goes and removes the saline bottle from the stand. She carries it, as Shotgun and Magan transfer Aryan carefully onto the stretcher. They had to be careful as Aryan's bandage must not be disturbed,else it would become dangerous.

Neha: (seeing everything ready) Sab tayar hai na. Tho chalo.

Reception.....

Receptionist: (wiping her tears)Theek hai madam. (opening the first drawer in the table,takes out akey) Ye lejiye.

Dipika immediately turns to Boxer to say something. Catching him smiling and staring at her, she stops. Boxer immediately changes his expression. Dipika knew what that expression was for.She acts as if she has noticed nothing. Then she notices Ganesh, sighs a relief.

Dipika: Ganesh kya tumko....

Ganesh: (interrupting)Haan,Ajay ne batayaa.Mujhe ambulance chalana aata hai. Har fire fighter ko ye training bhi de jaati hai.

Dipika: Thank God.(giving the key to Ganesh) Ye lo..Ambulance ko jaldi darwazaa par le aana. Aur fuel check karna.

Receptionist: (interrupting)Fuel tank full hai madam. Kal hi full kiya tha.

Dipika: (smiling at her) Thank you.Aur ambulance kahan hai?

Receptionist: Main khud leke jaati hoon.(looking at Ganesh) Aayiye sir.

Receptions leaves to go outside the hospital and Ganesh follows.Dipika looks at them leaving and turns to go to the ICU, when Neha appears out of the turn, at the end of the corridor.

Neha is carrying all the needed supplies in the large carry bag. Magan follows carrying one end of the strechter and Shotgun the other end. Shalini is carrying the saline bottle and Ajay is wheeling the oxygen cylinder.

They stopped walking. Dipika goes to the strecther.Boxer goes and stands near Neha.

Neha: (asks anxiously, to Boxer) Ambulance........?

Boxer: Dipika ne us Receptionist ko manva liya aur tumhe pata hai kaise....?

Dipika who was checking Aryan's pulse looked at Boxer and stared.Boxer stopped his talk, instead said....

Boxer: Err.. Hmm..Vo Ganesh ambulance laane gaya hai.(smiled to himself)

Neha looks at him questioningly.

Boxer: (mouthing silently) Baad me...

Shalini: (to Dipika) Madam maine phir se injection laga diya hai. Condition ab stable hai, ye(looking at Aryan)lekin ye ab tak katre se bahar nahin hain. Maine ek injection bottle rakhi hai. Condition worse hua tho laga dijiyega.

Dipika: (nodding knowingly)Thank you very much. Tumne aur tumhare staff ne(looking at the compounder) humari bahut madad ki hai. Main aur Special Squad ka sara team aapke is madad ko kabhi nahin boolenge.

Shalini: (smiling)Madam, isme koi badi baat nahin. Ye tho sirf humara farz hai. Khayal rakhiyega. (looking at Aryan)Ye zaroor theek ho jayenge.

They all hear a vehicle sound and turn around. The ambulance had arrrived.They start walking outside.

Ganesh was now reversing the ambulance towards the hospital door.The Receptionist got down from the front passenger door. Ganesh parked the vehicle. He came out and opened the back door of the ambulance.

Shotgun and Magan load the stretcher onto the ambulance bed. Shalini is down holding the saline bottle. Magan gets the bottle. He fixes the bottle in the ambulance's stand. Shotgun helps Ajay to load the oxygen cylinder in the ambulance.

Dipika: (to the Receptionist)Main promise karti hoon ki kal tak ambulance yahan hoga. Phir bhi, ek kaam karte hain. Hum inse(looking at the compounder)tumhara naam.....

Magan: Magan.

Dipika: Magan tum bhi humare saath chalo.Ambulance ke saath tum wapas aa sakte ho.

Receptionist: (looking at Magan)Magan tum kya kehte ho?

Magan: (looking at Receptionist and then at Dipika)Theek hai madam.

Dipika: (to Boxer) Tum, Ajay aur Shotgun SS gaadi me aana jaana. Mein aur Neha ambulance mein aate hain. Magan, Ganesh ke saath hoga.

Boxer, Ajay,Shotgun,Neha,Ganesh,Magan agree.

Its 2:00 p.m.

Boxer,Ajay and Shotgun go towards SS jeep.

Neha gets into the back of the ambulance,Dipika follows.She smiles at the nurse and Receptionist and closes the door.Ganesh gets into the driver's seat.Simultaneously Magan gets into the passenger seat.

Ganesh starts the ambulance and drives off. Boxer drives the SS vehicle behind the ambulance.

The SS team is off towards Nasik.

Nasik was just 10 kms from Rajapur.

Neha and Dipika kept looking at Aryan, consoling each other. But couldn't talk anything much. They couldn't think of anything else.

No one cried, but were upset and worried. They had seen a ray of hope compared to the state what was in the jungle.

Boxer was driving behind the ambulance. They weren't exactly chatting, but to waud of the silence, which was really scary, Boxer started this topic.Ajay was seated beside Boxer and Shotgun at the back seat

Boxer: Yaar mamu, tumhe pata hai, aaj mummy ka naya roop dekha hai.

Ajay: (irritated, like scolding)Boxer, tum bhi. Aryan ke halat ke bare me main yahan pareshan hoon aur tumhe mazak soojh raha hai.

Boxer: Nahin mamu, mujhe ab koi phikar nahin. Mujhe bhagwan par aur Dipika par poora vishwaas hai. Vo Aryan ko kuch hone nahin denge.

Shotgun: Dipika....?!

Boxer: Haan Shotgun. Tum logon notice nahin kiya, mummy ne Aryan ko bachane ke liye kya kya nahin kiya. Usne, Dipika Gosh, rules ke pakki, ne aaj kitne rule thode, nahin.... uske shabd mein "flexible" kiya.

Ajay: (surprised, his eyes widening)Kya...!?

Boxer: Hospital mein bina doctor ya koi incharge ke bina usne wahan ke items use kiye. Aur reception me...

Boxer describes what happened at the reception, always keeping an eye on the ambulance.Shotgun is not able to believe what he was listening.Ajay kept shaking his head unbelievingly when they hear a cell ring.

Ajay checks his phone, no it was not ringing.

Ajay:Boxer tumhara phone..?

Boxer: Mera phone to yahan hai.

He shows the dashboard, where he had kept his phone when he got into the jeep. It was silent, no ringing sound.

Ajay: Ring to lagta hai peeche se he aa raha hai.Shotgun tumhara..

Shotgun: Mera bhi nahin. Haan ring to yahein se aa raha hai.

Ajay: Zara dekho tho.

Shotgun is already searching. Behind the driver's seat, in between the door and seat, Shotgun finds a phone.

The had reached outskirts of Nasik.

Ambulance....

Dipika: (through the small wired window between the seperator of driver's side and back space) Ganesh, hum Nasik pahoonch gaye na. Hospital ka raastha kissise poochna hoga.

Magan: Zaroorat nahin, madam. Mujhe Apollo hospital ka raastha maaloom hai. Main aksar yahan aata hoon. Mein raastha batata hoon.

Dipika: Accha theek hai. Ganesh, please jaldi karna.

Dipika looks at Neha and smiles a feeble smile. Neha places a hand on Dipika's shoulder and nods an assured smile. Dipika also places her hand on Neha's hand. Both look at Aryan.

SS jeep......

Shotgun: (surprised)Are ye to Dipika ka phone hai!

Boxer: (shocked)Kya..!?

Shotgun:(remembering)Haan vo commisioner saab se baat kar rahi thi, ki tabhi Aryan ka halat bigda tha na. Tab gir gaya hoga.

Ajay: Usne phir use doondha nahin..?!Bhool gayi..?!

Ajay gives Boxer a look that clearly said "you were right" and smiled.

Boxer: (smiling)Mummy to aaj bahut koch bhool gayi(he smile even broadly)

Shotgun: Hello..

Ajay and Boxer stop talking and Ajay looked back. Shotgun had received the call and was talking on the phone.

Shotgun: Commisioner saab...

Shotgun looks at Ajay. Ajay looks at Boxer and they both start to listen to conversation intently.Shotgun was talking carefully, a bit scared talking to someone higher in that position.He had not talked to commisioner directly before.

Shotgun: Sir, mein Shot(stopping himself in time)...Subrato bol raha hoon sir.Special Squad ka ek member.

........................(commisioner talking on the other side of the phone)

Shotgun: Haan sir ye Dipika ka hi phone hai.

..........................

Shotgun: Oh...Vo jeep main hi bhool gayi hai.

.........................

Shotgun: Sir, Hum Aryan ko Nasik hospital le jaa rahein hain. Dipika uske saath ambulance mein hai.

..............................

Shotgun: Haan sir, tab Aryan ke tabiyat bigad gayi thi....

..............................

Shotgun: Ab vo theek hai sir, lekin khatare se bahar nahin.

.............................

Shotgun: (looking around) Hum Nasik pahoonch gaye sir. Ab hospital jaa rahein hain.

...............................

Shotgun: Theek hai sir....Main batadoonga. Main jitni jaldi ho sake Dipika ko aapse baat karne ko kehta hoon. Okay sir. Good day.

Shotgun cuts the phone.

Shotgun: Oooffffff......Shhhh(wiping off beads of sweats)

Ajay: (laughing)Kya, Shotgun, tum aise kar rahe ho ki kisi sher se pala pada tha.

Shotgun: Sher se milne par bhi shayad itna dar na hota. Kabhi C ommisioner se baat nahin ki naa, isliye.

Boxer: Chodo naa, Comiisioner saab ne kya kaha?(still looking at the ambulance and following it, he knew not where to go, but knew the ambulance was going to some hospital)

Ajay looks at Boxer and he too smiles.

Shotgun: Commisioner saab ne kaha ki bahut der se try kar rahe the. Lekin phone koi utha nahin raha tha. Unhone Aryan ke baare main poocha. Unhone ye bhi kaha ki, Dipika se kuch zaroori baat karna chahate the. Kaha ki baat karvadoonga.

Ajay: (looking at Shotgun)Itni jaldi kya ho sakta hai, ki humare Mumbai pahoonchne tak wait nahin kar sakte. (looking at Boxer)Koi naya case to, (frustrated and sounding tired)hum koi case investigate karne ke mood me nahin hain.

Shotgun: Nahin yaar, Ganesh ke bare main.

Ajay: (surprised)Ganesh...!?

Boxer: (thinking) Ganesh,..... (remembering)Are aaj Ganesh ko court me gavahi dena tha Anna Kartoos ke khilaaf.

Ajay, Boxer look at each other and Ajay, Shotgun look at each other. They didn't know what to do now.

Boxer: (getting an idea)Ajay, Neha ka cell uske pass hi hoga. Use phone karo aur Dipika se baat karo. Ussse Commsioner ke phone ke bare me kehna.

Ajay: Haan, theek hai.

Ajay picks up his phone to call Neha, when the ambulance started to slow down. Ajay looked up and then at Boxer. Boxer also slowed the jeep.

The ambulance turned right into a building. It was when the ambulance disappeared into the gate, they saw a sign above the gate "APOLLO HOSPITAL"

They had reached Nasik's Apollo Hospital.

Ajay looked at his watch.It was 2:45 p.m.

The ambulance entered the Hospital. Ganesh drove the ambulance directly to the hospital entrance. Dipika and Neha immediately opened the back door and came out. Ganesh and Magan too came out. Magan immediately went inside.

Seeing an ambulance come to the door, the compunders and nurses of the hospital came running with stretchers. They unloaded Aryan from the ambulance and took him inside.

Dipika: Neha, tum Aryan ke saath hi rehna. Mein andar jakar Doctor ke liye poochti hoon.
Neha:Theek hai..

Dipika was about to go inside when, Ganesh called..
Ganesh:Madam, mein ambulance park karke aata hoon.

Dipika looked a second at him, nodded and hurriedly went inside.

Boxer had followed the ambulance to the hospital. The watchman at the gate told him to park the vehicle in the parking lot and gave directions to it.

Boxer drove to the parking lot, parked the jeep. He, Ajay and Shotgun literally running went into the hospital. Aryan stretcher was been taken inside the hospital. Ajay went upto Neha followed by Boxer and Shotgun.

Boxer:(looking around)Neha, Dipika kahan hai?
Neha:Dipika reception me doctor ke bare me poochne ke liye gayi hai.
Boxer:(patting her on her shoulder) Okay, I'll come.

As he crossed Aryan, he stopped the stretcher, gave Aryan a look. Two drops of tears dropped onto Aryan's hands. He immediately wiped his tears and went inside.

At the reception...

Dipika:Excuse me...
Receptionist:Yes, madam..What can I do for you.'

The stretcher had by now come behind Dipika.
Dipika:(indicating behind)Hum Special Squad se hein. Its an emergency. Bullet hit. Critical situation hai.Please koi doctor ko bulaiye.
Receptionist:Don't worry madam. Mein intezam karti hoon.

The Receptionist picked up the phone and called over the intercom.Boxer came near Dipika, Dipika turned towards him and nodded. Neha, Ajay and Shotgun were with Aryan at a distance behind.

Receptionist: Doctor, ek emergency case hai. Bullet hit.

.............(doctor talking)

Receptionist:Unke saath Special Squad se aaye hein.

................

Receptionist:Okay Doctor..

Receptionist:(looking at the nurse who was carrying the saline bottle) Neena, unhein ICU tak le jana. Dr.Catherine D'Souza unhe dekhne aayenge.

The nurse nodded.

Receptionist:(to Dipika) Madam ICU second floor main hai. Aap unke saath jaiye.
Dipika:Thank you very much.

This she did really mean it from her heart. Aryan was to be treated immediately and at the present moment nothing could be more important for the SS team.

Dipika looked at her team and indicated them to follow. By now Ganesh had also come and they followed the stretcher.

The compounders carried Aryan to the lift. They went inside. As there was no place in the lift, the others took the second lift.

They came to the second floor. The compounders were already carrying Aryan into the ICU.They went to the ICU and waited outside. Just then a doctor came hurrying from the end of the corridor, to the left of the ICU.

Dipika was shocked and surprised to see her. Even the doctor saw her, stunned for a moment and understanding the emergency immediately went inside without speaking a word.

All of the SS team members and Ganesh were really tensed and didn't really know what to do. No one spoke a single word during this time. Each gave each other a look of comfort alone.

The doctor came outside after half an hour, with a serious expression.

The Doctor looked at everyone around, each in a turn. She even looked at Dipika and just smiled. Even Dipika smiled at her and was genuinely happy to see her.

Doctor: (looking at Dipika) Patient ka naam?
Dipika: Aryan, Aryan Khanna. Special Squad ka Chief investigator. Hum sab Special Squad se hain.
Docotor: Hmmm…..

The Doctor just opened her mouth to say something when the ICU's door opened and the nurse and one compounder came out. She nodded to the Doctor and went towards a room at the end of the corridor.

The SS team just looked at each other. The Doctor looked at her till she disappeared and turned towards the SS team standing there. Everyone were having an expression of confusion, tension and "What is going on"

Doctor: What happened, kya mein jaan sakthi hoon ki ye kab hua?
Dipika: (unbearable to think of the incident)Vo, hum ek case ke silsile me Mangeshwadi gaye the. Wahan kuch gundon ko shoot karte samay, Aryan ko lag gaya…..

Dipika could not speak further.

Doctor: (shocked)Mangeshwadi……?! Vo to yahan se door hai. Kab hua ye hatsa?
Boxer: (not sure)Yahein kuch sade 10..
Doctor: Sade 10…?! But..Okay..(trying to digest what she had heard)Unko examine karne par pata chala ki first aid kiya gaya hai. Kisne kiya aur goli bhi nikali nahein gayi.
Dipika: Maine kiya. Lekin goli pet me lagi thi, isliye use nikalna safe nahin tha. Isliye humne bleeding stop karne ke liye hume amino aceticia solution use karna pada.
Doctor:(shocked) What, amino aceticia ..!? Lekin Dipika tumhe pata hai ki vo harmful hai. How could you..?(not convinced at all at what was done and more than that not convinced at the person who had done it)

The whole of SS team was shocked. The Doctor had just taken Dipika's name. What was happening? Did that mean the Doctor knew Dipika? All of them looked at each other and were listening to their conversation.

Dipika: (trying to convince her) No Cathy, its okay. Humne sirf thoda use kiya. Very little, sirf utna, jisse bleeding thode hi samay tak rooktha hai. By now its reaction must be wearing out.

Wait a second, Dipika had also called the Doctor by name, what was that "Cathy". It surely meant they knew each other. Ajay looked at Neha, then at Boxer and raised his eyebrows. Boxer just shrugged and they went back to their conversation.

Doctor: (relieved) Thank God. (smiling)Wa….

The nurse had returned.

Nurse: Doctor sab ready hai.
Doctor: (nodding) Theek hai, jaldi patient ko le jayo. Hum ek bhi minute waste nahin kar sakte. Kya tumne Doctor Samuel ko phone kar diya?
Nurse: Haan doctor, vo ek case dekh rahein hain. Unhone kaha ki jab tak aap tayar honge vo aa jayenge.

The Doctor nodded and the nurse immediately went inside.

Doctor: (smiling and indeed very happy at seeing her) Dipika Gosh….! How are you?

Saying this the Doctor hugged her tightly like old friends do. Moving away from each other, but still holding each others arms. Dipika was smiling very broadly. Meeting an old friend could be the reason. But more than that, she knew Catherine was a wonderful Doctor, so her fear about Aryan was no more.

Dipika: (tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks)Catherine Smith…. I…..

She stopped and looked behind Cathy. Cathy also turned around and looked. The compounder were bringing Aryan out. She immediately let go Dipika and went near Aryan. She checked his pulse and was relaxed. She just shook her head towards the room at the farther end indicated the nurse and compounder to go. Another compounder was wheeling the oxygen cylinder and the nurse carrying the saline bottle. Dipika looked at Aryan and back to Cathy. As Catherine was about to leave..

Dipika: (wiping her tears,worried) Ca..thy..

The doctor stopped in her tracks and turned around.

Dipika: Aryan, kaisa hai? Vo theek to..?
Cathy: (becoming serious, she came to Dipika) Dipika, tumhe pata hai goli pet main lagi hai. Aur it has been more than four to five hours. (taking a long breathe) Halat to kharab hai....

The other SS members were shocked and thunders were going on their hearts.

Dipika:(shocked) Catherine….?!
Cathy: Ssshhh…. Dipika (coming to her and consoling) magar phikar karne ki zaroorat nahin. I'll do my best aur mera ek colleague hai Dr. Samuel, he is an expert in such cases. Hum abhi Aryan ka operation karne wale hain. (becoming serious) Agar goli jaldi nikali nahin gayi, to shayad…..

Neha: (shocked, in an almost begging tone) Doctor..…please..

Dipika was shocked and became worried.

Everyone were like "Please doc do not say that". The doctor too didn't like to finish the sentence.

Catherine looked at Neha in a pitiful glance. She went towards her and reassurringly caught her arms.

The doctor looked at everyone and smiled reassuringly. She hurried towards the room at the end of the corridor. It was the Operation Theatre. The SS team looked for a second and followed the doctor. Just as they reached the lift it opened. He came out looked at them for a second. He then turned his head left then right. Seeing the Dr. Catherines's retreating back he followed immediately.

The SS team guessed that he must be Dr. Samuel.

Ajay:(voicing everyone's thought) Dr.Samuel..

Boxer:(nodded) Chalo, chalte hain.

Dipika and everyone went towards the operation theatre.

It was now 4 p.m.

The whole team was waiting outside the operation theatre.

Boxer and Ajay were roaming here and there. Dipika and Neha sitting with bated breathe.

Ganesh was standing to a side and Shotgun was toying with his cellphone.

That was when Shotgun remembered, his cellphone..?!, no this was... Dipika's. Yeah hadn't they got a call from the commissioner. He had wanted to talk to her as soon as possible.

Shotgun hit himself on his forehead with the cellphone, went to Dipika and stretched out his hand to give her the phone.Dipika who was looking down, looked up surprised.
Shotgun:(in a apologising tone) Dipika.. sorry. Lo tumhara cellphone.
Dipika:(surprised, taking the phone)Mera cellphone..?! Tumhare pass kaise? Shotgun:(in a matter-of-fact tone) Jeep me tha.
Dipika:(in a sort of not interested, tired voice) Haan, commissioner....?(remembering) Oh..no. mein commissioner saab se baat kar rahi thi naa. I totally forgot.
Shotgun:Er..Dipika, commissioner saab ka phone aaya tha..
Dipika:(shocked)Kya, kab..?
Shotgun:Jab hum Nasik pahoonche tab hi. Tumhe contact karna chaha lekin tab tak hospital pahoonch chuke the. Unhone tumhe jald se jald phone karne ko kaha.
Dipika:(wondering what the matter could be)Oh...theek hai.

Everyone was looking at her.She started to dial the commissioner's number when she remembered she was in a hospital..

Dipika:(looking at Neha) Hospital hai.. Main bahar jakar baat karke aati hoon.

Neha nodded.

Boxer:Main bhi tumhare saath chalta hoon.

Dipika nodded.Both of them left through the lift to the ground floor.
Just as they went the nurse came out hurriedly. Ajay stopped her.... Neha too stood up.

Ajay: Excuse me.(in a worried tone)Kya ho raha hai..?Is Aryan okay?
Nurse:Dekhiye, main samajthi hoon. Lekin disturb mat kijiye. Abhi kuch kaha nahin jaa sakta. Operation to shuru ho gayi hai. Please.....

Saying this nurse left. After sometime she came back carrying a medicine tray. Ajay, Neha, Shotgun and Ganesh kept looking on. All they could do was pray for their dear Aryan.

Outside the hospital...

On the phone....

Dipika:Hello, sir its Dipika here...

...........(commissioner)

Dipika:Hum Nasik Apollo Hospital mein hain sir. Aryan ka operation ho raha hai.

..........

Boxer was standing a little apart and listening to her conversation, but not keenly.

Dipika:Yes sir. Goli pet main lagi hai. So he is serious.

.............

Dipika:(surprised)Ganesh!! Haan sir vo humare saath he hai.

Hearing Ganesh's name, Boxer went to her and intently listened to what she was saying.

.........

Dipika:He is safe. Ab to vo hospital ke andar hai. Main bahar se bol rahi hoon.

..........

Dipika:Oh.....Yes sir....Haan.......That's good......I know.Hmm....

..............

Dipika:Okay sir, I'll see to it that he reaches Mumbai tonight.

..............

Dipika:Okay, sir. Inform karti rahoongi sir. Good day.

Dipika was thinking seriously.

Boxer:Dipika...kya hua?
Dipika:(coming out her thoughts)Hunh...Oh Boxer..Sorry.
BoxerCommsioner saab ne kya kaha?
Dipika:Hmm.... Vo abhi Ganesh ko Mumbai bhejhna chahate hain.
Boxer:Abhi..magar kaise?Jab hum jayenge tab hum use bhi le ja sakte hain na.
Dipika:(understanding)Mujhe pata hai Boxer. Aaj Anna Kartoos ka case court me aaya tha. Lekin emergency kehke police ne gawah ko pesh karne ke liye kal tak waqt maanga hai. Kal Ganesh ko court me pesh karna hai.
Boxer: Kal...to phir kya karna hai..?
Dipika: Sur phir bhi jaldi isliye hai kyoun ki, parson saturday hai aur phir sunday. Anna Kartoos to ab nahin rahi, lekin uski aadmiyan aur partners to hain. Jab unhe pata chalega ki Anna nahin rahi, to ve apne aap ko bachane ke liye Ganesh ko maar sakte hain isliye.
Boxer:Iska matlab, kisi ko Ganesh ko Mumbai me commissioner tak panoochana hai?
Dipika:Haan....kisi ko nahin Boxer tumhe jaana hoga.
Boxer:Main..lekin....
Dipika:(feeling sorry)Mujhe pata hai tum Aryan ke pass rahna chahate ho.Magar ye bhi to zaroori hai. Agar Ganesh ko kuch ho gaya, to humare sab ki mehnat bekaar ho jayegi.Aur...use sahi salamat Mumbai pahoochane ke liye hi to Aryan aaya tha aur uski halat......

Dipika's voice became strained and she could not talk.

Thinking of the incident itself made all the SS team members sad and unhappy. And for Dipika it was....her feelings could not be explained.

Boxer:(looked at Dipika and decided)Theek hai. Main jaoonga. Kab nikalna hai?
Dipika:(looked at Boxer for two seconds and said) Abhi nikal sakte ho to accha.
Boxer:Hmm..Theek hai.Main upar sab se kehke, Ganesh ko bhi lekar chalta hoon.

Dipika nodded. She and Boxer went upstairs.

Outside the opearation theatre......

All the team members were still tensed when they saw Dipika and Boxer coming.

Dipika:(looking at Ganesh) Tumhe abhi Mumbai ke liye nikalna hoga. Tumhare court me aaj ki peshi kal ke liye postpone kiya gaya hai.

Ganesh:(surprised)Abhi..Lekin..!?
Dipika:Haan, abhi.Urgent hai isliye. Boxer tumhe leke jayega. Commissioner se report karna hai.

ganesh looked at Boxer and back at Dipika.He just nodded. Dipika saw Boxer and indicated him to leave.

Boxer:(looking at Ganesh)Chalo Ganesh.

Ganesh started to leave when,

Dipika:(in a thankful voice,tears glistening in her eyes)Ganesh, thank you. Aryan ko bachane me tumne hamari bahut madad ki hai.
Ganesh:(shaking his head, in a sad voice)Isme kya hai madam. Aryan saab ne meri jaan bachayi thi. Main unka shukraguzar hoon.Aur ek taraf se to, meri wajah se hi unka ye halat hai, na.
Neha:(tears rolling down)Dipika theek keh rahi hai Ganesh.Thank you very much.
Ajay:Haan bhai. Bahut shukriya.

Ajay came forward and hugged Ganesh.Shotgun also smiled at him and hugged him. Dipika and Neha shook hands with Ganesh.

Boxer patted Ganesh to indicate him to leave and they left.

Dipika:(looking at Neha) Main unhe bhejkar aati hoon.

Dipika followed Boxer and Ganesh.

Ground floor.........

Boxer and Ganesh went to the parking lot. Just as Boxer opened the jeep door he saw Dipika coming.Surprised he shut back the door and came to her.

Dipika looked at Ganesh sitting in the front of the jeep and indicated Boxer to come few steps away from the jeep.

Boxer:Kya hua?
Dipika:(in a warning tone) Boxer, sambhal ke jaana. Anna Kartoos ke aadmi abhi tak bahar hain. Mangewadi ki police ne Anna ki aur uske aadmion ke laashon ko jungle se le gaye hain. Commissioner ne iska intezam kar diya. Anna ke aadmi ko abhi tak Anna ke bare main pata nahin hoga. To abhi vo sab Ganesh ke khoj main hi honge. So....(in a worried tone)Be careful.
Boxer:(nodding his head in a not so serious manner) No problem, mum...(stopping himself)

Dipika looked at him surprisingly and suspiciously.

Boxer:(smiling sheepishly)Er...Vo...Main sambhal ke jaoonga.
Dipika:Aur haan, jab tak tum Mumbai pahoonchoge der ho jayegi. Gyarah se barah kareeb. To tum Mumbai me rehke kal subah aa sakte ho.
Boxer:(looked at her for a second and said in a decided tone)Dipika,jab tak Aryan ko hosh nahin aata baat nahin karta,main kahin nahin jaoonga. Ab jaa raha hoon to vo bhi sirf Aryan ke liye. Chalta hoon.

Dipika knew it.Eventhough she had said this,she knew it would not be possible for Boxer to stay away. This would not be possible for her. And Boxer and other SS members close to Aryan, were with him for such a long time.She knew Boxer would just drop off Ganesh, report to the commssioner and return immediately.

She just smiled and nodded. Ganesh also bid good bye. Boxer and Ganesh drove away to Mumbai.

The jeep's digital clock showed it was 4:30 p.m.

In the hospital.........

Neha was crying silently. The silence was killing her. After the first nurse had come out, two times she had come out. The second time she had done some tests. The third time she had taken two bottles of blood inside. Even after that two compounders had taken in pouches of blood.All these times it felt like an emergency. But Neha, Ajay and Shotgun thought it wise not to interrupt them. But literally they were histerical, not knowing what was happening.

Neha remembered her moments in SS with Aryan. They had always shared a unique relationship of friendship and brotherhood.

She knew Aryan had always cared for her. Even in cases where she agreed to be the scapegoat, Aryan had strongly rejected it.

Aryan had always been like a brother helping her out in hard times. (looking at Ajay) It was because of him I have my love with me today.

Seeing Neha looking at him, Ajay went to her.He sat beside her

Ajay:(caringly)Neha, kya hua? Itni udas kyoun ho?
Neha:(surprised at such a question)Ajay, tum nhain jaante ki main pareshaan kyoun hoon?
Ajay:(nodding)Mujhe pata hai ki tum Aryan ke halat ke bare main soch rahe ho. Mera matlab tha,uska operation chal raha hai na. Vo theek ho jayega.

Neha started to cry out now. Ajay carassingly held her tightly. She was rested her head on his shoulders and cried very much.

Ajay:(in a soothing tone)Neha..Ssshhhh...Ro o mat. Aryan is going to be okay.
Neha:(from his shoulders)Why Aryan put through such a time. Uski zindagi mein pehli se he pareshaniyaan kam thi kya? Pehke uska parivaar, phir Shaina aur ab ye. Aryan's life has become like he must fight for justice, justice and justice only. Vo tho pehle se apni zindagi ko jeene ke bare me bhool chuka tha. Ab use ye dard bhi sehna hai kya?God.....

Ajay didn't know what to do. He looked at Shotgun. Shotgun was wiping tears from his eyes.They just looked at each other, each one lost in their own thoughts.

Ajay knew how Neha must be feeling. Aryan was the chief of Special Squad before, but he had not been in that status anytime. He had never treated them as their colleagues.

Ajay remembered all the special moments he had spent with Aryan. Their fun, jokes, their fire to solve cases.

Ajay feared that may this never become the past and they only get to think of Aryan.No they wanted him to speak, they wanted him to smile, they wanted him to see him back in action fighting for justice.

Shotgun was also thinking the same. He distinctly remembered that the reason why he was here was Aryan. Aryan was very supportive, when his mother was in trouble. Aryan was more than a buddy guy or a colleague.

Ajay's back was towards the operation theatre.Neha was still weeping on his shoulders. Ajay was soothing her, when Shotgun called out.

Shotgun:Ajay....

Ajay looked at Shotgun, who indicated with his eyes to turn back. Shotgun came forward.Ajay pulled away from Neha. Neha too wiped her tears and looked up.The operation theatre's bulb went out.

Dr.Catherine and Dr.Samuel came out talking to each other. They heard..

Samuel:Remember doctor be careful. He must be under constant observation. You know what to do. A little negligence may become severe, so please do be careful.

Dr. Catherine was constantly nodding and shaking her head, listening to him.

Samuel:(smiling)Ca.....(looking at Neha and the others)

Catherine looked in the direction where the Doctor was looking. She just turned back and smiled at him.She just nodded her head indicating she understood what he wanted to say.

Cathy:Ok, doctor.
Samuel:Fine, I am leaving. May not be back for the night.

The doctor turned to leave. But again looking at Catherine said..

Samuel:And do be careful with the patient. You know his condition.

Catherine just nodded seriously and Dr.Samuel left. At last Catherine turned towards the SS team.Neha could control no longer nad burst out.

Catherine looked around for Dipika and not finding her opened her mouth to ask about her.
Cathy:Er...Di...
Neha:(interrupting in a speed)Doctor, Aryan kaisa hai? Is he okay? Can we see him?]

Catherine was surprised at so many questions in such a speed. But seeing the anxiety in all their faces, she decided to answer their questions first.

Cathy:Please. Calm down.(smiling) The operation was successful. Humne goli nikal di hai. Lekin chot bahut gehri hai. Goli pet ko chookar nikla hai. Very minute, thank God.

Neha, Ajay and Shotgun were very relieved.

Cathy:(worried)Magar.....
Shotgun:Magar.magar kya doctor?
Cathy:(not knowing exactly how to break the news, looking at everyone in turns she continued)Aap ko tho pata hai, goli takreeban paanch gante pehle lagi thi. Tab se lekar, bahut zyada blood loss hua hai. Dipika ne bleeding to rok dhi thi,jiski wajah se hi he is able to sustain. Twenty-four hours must pass before we can say anything about his condition.

Ajay:(shocked)Doctor......

God.....what was hapenning?Neha was now totally exhausted. She couldn't take it anymore. She sat down very tired and shocked.

Catherine came to Neha and patted her on her shoulders.

Cathy:Please. Don't lose heart. God is there always. Believe in him.Dipika kahan hai?

Neha could not speak even a word, sensing this Ajay answered.
Ajay:(in a strained voice) Vo, ek zaroori kaam se neeche gayi hai. She must be back by now.
Cathy:(looking at Ajay and Shotgun)Oh...Jab vo aaye to mujhse aakar milne ke liye kehna. My room is the last one in this corridor.

Both Ajay and Shotgun nodded their heads. Catherine started to leave when,

Neha:Doctor...

Catherine turned around.

Cathy:Yes.....
Neha:(tears still rolling down her eyes)Kya hum Aryan ko dekh sakte hain?

Catherine looked at all of their worried faces.

Cathy:Ab tho nahin dekh sakte.Thodi der baad patient ko ICU me shift kiya jayega, tab mil sakte ab mil lejiyega. Aur haan agar Dipika aaye to please tell her its urgent meeting me.

Catherine saying this nodded and left.

The others were confused as to what might be so important that the doctor wnated to speak to Dipika.

Neha:(worried)Waise bhi Dipika kahan hai? Use abhi tak aa jaana chahiye tha.

Ajay, Neha and Shotgun looked at each other and towards the lift to see whether Dipika was coming.

After seeing off Boxer and Ganesh....

Just as Dipika turned to go into the hospital she saw four buildings, acrooss the parking lot, inside the hospital premises. It looked a temple, but also like a mosque and church. She went up to the watchman....

Dipika:Bhai saab ye sab(indicating to the buildings) kya hai?
Watchman:Mem sahib, yahan mandir, musalmanon ka prathana ghar aur girija ghar hai. Ek dyan mandap bhi hai. Marrezon ke liye aur unke saath aane walon ke liye banaya gaya hai.

Dipika looked at the buildings for some time and went through the gate.

The center one looked like a churh. The left one was a temple, it had a temple flag on the top and another building, must be the meditation hall.The right building looked like a muslim prayer hall.

She moved on.

The path to the buildings was cemented. Both sides of the path had bushes, neatly cut and even. A park was built in the front of where some kids were playing. It had fountains and nice flowering plants and bushes. It would have been a wonderful experience to walk through the path.

But Dipika's mind couldn't take any of these details. Her main thought was all about Aryan and the operation. She neared a fork and took the left one.She neared the temple.Outside the temple she removed her shoes and went inside.


Inside the temple there was a sweet mixture of fragrance of different flowers- jasmine, rose, marigold etc. There was also the smell of agarbathi refreshing everyone there.

Directly opposite to the door there was a Devi ma's statue. Left to her was Lord Ganesha and right to her was Lord Karthikey's statues. There were pictures of all lords all over the inside of the temple.

Dipika directly went to Devi ma. She rang the bells as she went to the Goddess. Aarti was going on. Just as she came near it got over and the Pandit ji came to give Aarti. She took it on her head and stood looking at the mother with tears in her eyes.

Pandit ji looking at her asked..

Pandit:Beti...

Dipika looked towards him.

Pandit:Dukhi ho. Lagta hai koi apna bimaar hai?

Dipika just nodded and the tears started rolling down her eyes.

Pandit:Dukhi mat hona beti. Vo zaroor theek ho jayega.
Dipika:(asking in a sort of complaining, but strained voice) Pandit ji, aisa kyuon hata hai ki jo sabka accha karta hai use ko hi dukh zyada milta hai? Aryan.....

Hearing the name Aryan, a man who was sitting in the corner of the temple with a bedsheet cover on his head casually turned towards the conversation.But was surprised to see the lady in the shirt and pant, she was...
Stranger:(to himself)Dipika Gosh, Special Squad se.??!!!!!

Dipika:(was continuing)...ne to hamesha sabka bhala hi kiya hai, insaaf ke liye hi hamesha lada hai. Lekin aaj uska halat itna kharaab hai.
Pandit:(consoling)Aisa mat kaho beti. Ye Ma jo hai apne sab bachon ka pareeksha zaroor leti hai. Unhe dukh bhi deti hai, lekin kabhi saath nahin choodthi. Lekin bure karm karne walon ko sab kuch deti hai, lekin anth me saath chod deti hai. Isiliye jiskeliye bhi prarthna karne aayi thi, vo jald hi theek ho jayega. Matarani par vishwaas rakhna.

Saying this the Pandit ji turned to a couple who had just come. Dipika thanked him. Dipika went to statue, and placed her forehead on Matarani's feet.

By now the stranger had neared Dipika and without her knowledge was watching her activities.He was acting as if he was praying.

Dipika:(talking to Matarani, not crying but in a sort of pleading voice))Maa, tum sab jaanti ho. Tumse kehne ya poochne ke liye kuch nahin hai. Lekin maa tum to mera man jaanthi ho. Meri zindagi main, maine pehli baar kisi ko itna mukhya maana hai. Aryan ke prati mere dil jo bhavanayein hain, use samjhne ka mauka bhi nahin mila hai. (now tears rolling down)Maa Aryan ko takleef me dekhkar mujhse saha nahin jaata maa. Rajapur jaane se pehle Aryan ne tumhara naam to liya tha naa maa. Aryan ko jaldi theek kar dena maa. Use kuch hone mat dena, kuch hone mat dena.

The mystery man was now confirmed of something and even more intently started to noe Dipika's activities.

Dipika bowed her shoulders and prayed for sometime, and then left from the temple. The mystery man was followed her.

Unaware of this Dipika walked back to the hospital and entered the lift to go to the second floor.She was the only one in the lift. The mystery man watched from behind a pillar and noted the floor in which the lift stopped, by the indicator on the top.

Dipika came out of the lift in the second floor. Neha, Ajay and Shotgun who were watching the towards the lift, breathed a sigh of relief seeing Dipika emerging from the lift.

Dipika was walking towards the operation theatre, when the theatre door opened and Aryan was brought out in the stretcher.

The nurse was carrying pouches of blood and the compunder was wheeling the oxygen cylinder.Two other compunders were rolling the strecther.

Dipika started to walk fast towards them.Neha, Ajay and Shotgun turned towards him. Neha stopped the stretcher and called out...

Neha:(in stressed voice)Aryan, Aryan.....

Ajay was standing beside Neha looking at Aryan.Shotgun was standing behind Neha looking at Aryan.

The compunders started to move Aryan. They reached Dipika who was walking towards them. Dipika looking at Aryan started to walk with them.

The compunders took Aryan inside the ICU. All of the others waited outside. Dipika and Neha had a look through the see through in the ICU's glass door.

By now the mystery man had climbed the stairs to the second floor. Just as he came to the top of the second floor stairs, he noticed a stretcher wheeling past him. He stood behind the wall and stealthily watched. He noticed that Dipika was going along with the strecther but couldnot see who was on it, as a bald man was standing beside the face of the person in the stretcher. Just as Aryan was wheeled into the ICU. Shotgun stopped behind and the compounder moved a bit, that's when the mystery man saw him.....

Stranger:(shocked, surprised,stunned,his face clearing of doubts)Aryan Khanna...?????????!!!!!!!!!!! (then smiled to himself)

Everyone were standing outside the ICU.

Dipika looking at Neha,

Dipika:Operation kab khatam hua?
Neha:Aadha ghanta hua.
Dipika:Doctor ne kuch kaha?

Neha remebered the doctor's words "Twenty-four hours must pass before we can say anything about his condition. "

Neha had not responded to Dipika's questions. Dipika looked at Ajay and Shotgun, she shook Neha by her shoulders and called out..

Dipika:Neha....
Neha:(coming to her senses)Hunh...vo... Tumne kuch poocha?
Dipika:(surprised)Maine poocha , Kya doctor ne kuch kaha?
Neha:Haan, operation successful raha, goli nikaal di gayi..
Dipika:(closing her eyes)Thank god..
Neha:(tears brimming in her eyes)Magar…..

Dipika's eyes flew open.

Dipika:(in a scared voice)Magar….magar kya?

Neha couldn't talk further. She was totally exhausted and in a state of collapsing.

Dipika: (worried)Neha…

Dipika guided her to a chair nearby and made her to sit.

Ajay: (in a worried tone)Main paani leke aata hoon.

Dipika nodded. It was nothing to worry. It was pure exhaustion.

Not only Neha but Ajay, Shotgun, Dipika were all tired.

Why not, from the morning they were in an excited state, with no thoughts running in their minds except that of Aryan. Not to forget the whole of SS team had not eaten anything or for that matter drunk even a sip of water, from the morning. Now that a ray of hope had creeped in, their mind was a little bit relaxed, so their body was feeling the exhaustion.

Neha was having her head on her hands. Dipika was caressing her head.

Dipika:(looking at Shotgun) Kya hua?
Shotgun: Doctor ne choubees ghante ka waqt diya hai. Kaha hai, uske baad hi kuch kaha ya kiya jaa sakta hai.
Dipika:(shocked)Oh…..

She couldn't speak out anything. She knew Aryan must become okay. From the time she had visited the temple, she had felt a strong belief. Hmm.... It was like her gut feeling. Gut feeling, that reminded her about Aryan.....

The time when Aryan said patting his stomach "Mera ye gut feeling hamesha sahi kehtha hai"

Dipika said to herselk "Aryan, jis din tumhara gut feeling tumhe dokha dega, us din mujhe bahut dukh hoga"

Dipika came back to her senses.No,Aryan will become okay, he has to.

Ajay had returned with two bottles of water. He handed over one to Shotgun. Another one he opened the seal and gave it Neha. Neha took the water and drank to her fullest. She passed the bottle to Dipika. Dipika too had a drink and gave the bottle to Ajay. She rested her head on the chair's back and closed her eyes. Neha rested back her head on her hands.Shotgun was having a drink from the other bottle. Ajay too had a drink.

Neha:Dipika…

Dipika opened her eyes and looked at Neha.

Neha:Tumne bahut der kar di? Kahan thi?
Dipika:(pulling back her hair)Vo..Is hospital me ek mandir tha. Wahan jaakar aayi.
Neha:Oh…..

Dipika: Er.. Ajay
Ajay:(remembering)Are..Dipika

Both had started to talk at the same time.They stopped immediately. Neha looked at Dipika and Dipika returned her gaze. Even Ajay knew what had them thinking. They were thinking the same incident. The time when she and Aryan had started to talk at the same time, in the bomber's case.

Dipika:(coming to reality,looking at Ajay)Kaho Ajay... kya kehna chahte the?

Ajay: Vo, Doctor ne kaha ki vo tumse milna chahte hain.
Dipika:(in a hurried tone)Kya?Koi emergency tha kya?
Ajay:Nahin emergency tho nahin. Lekin kaha zaroori hai.
Dipika:Oh..Tho theek hai. Main dekhkar aati hoon.(looking at Akjy)Waise doctor ka room patha hai?
Ajay:(looking in the direction right to the ICU)Vo, is taraf se last kamra.

Dipika nodded.She patted Neha on her shoulders. Neha looked up and nodded.

Dipika:(looking at Ajay, indicating Neha) Take care.

Ajay nodded.Saying this Dipika left to meet the Doctor.Ajay went and sat near Neha. Neha rested her head on Ajay's shoulders.Ajay carassingly held her. Shotgun also sat in the chair opposite and they all waited.

Outside the doctor's room door……..

Dipika:(knocking on the door) Excuse me..
Doctor:Yes, come in.

Dipika opened the door and entered the room. Catherine looked up to see who it was and seeing Dipika there her face lit up.

Cathy: Dipika. Come in na yaar.

Cathy got up from her seat. She came out of her side and hugged her old friend dearly. Dipika too hugged her back, she was indeed glad to see an old friend back.

Cathy: Come, come on in.

Catherine led Dipika through a door into an adjoining room. Dipika looked around. The room she had entered must the Doctor's consulting room. But this room was fully furnished like a mini drawing hall, complete with a small dining table, television and a sofa set for six.

Catherine and Dipika sat on the sofa. Even before Cathy could start off, Dipika asked..

Dipika:(in a worried tone) Ajay ne kaha kit um mujhse kuch baat karma chahti thi?

Cathy's smile vanished. She just looked at Dipika and turned to a phone at a table behind her. She picked up the phone and dialed an intercom number.Dipika just looked on worried, not knowing what was happening.

Cathy: Dr. Catherine D'Souza here.

That was when Dipika noticed, she was surprised.She thought of asking about it.

Cathy:(was continuing)….Maine jo reports maange the, kya vo tayar ho gaye?

……………………

Cathy:Haan…to theek. Jab tayar ho jaye jaldi mere private room me bhijhvadena. Its urgent, understand?

Saying this, Catherine kept the phone and turned to Dipika.

Cathy:Report ko aane do, phir baat karenge.(smiling)Ab mere dost se kuch baatein ho jaye. How long? Kitne varsh hue na dekhkar?

Dipika:(smiling) Haan, must be more than ten years. Bachpan se hi London me padthe aaye hain. Pados me hi rehthe the.Lekin high school ke baad tu hi India chali aayi. Yaar mujhe pata nahin tha ki tum doctor karne waali ho, (in a surprised tone)I thought you were interested in forensics. Tumhara aur mera interest ek hi tho tha.

Cathy:(sadness in her voice) Yes, Deeps. Tumhe to pata hai,mere school ke last year me maa guzar gayi. Uske baad papa ka man wahan bilkul bhi nahin lag raha tha. Isiliye mere schooling ke baad, papa business wrap up karke, apna desh, India wapas aana chahate the. Isliye hum aa gaye. Yahan paap ne apna business establish kar diya. Aur mera, forensics ke liye study yahan un dino mein establishment accha nahin tha naa, so I took up doctor. Papa ke dost Mr. Daniel D'Souza ne unke hi college me admission de di. Ab unke is hospital me doctor hoon. Ab tumhara kya haal hai.


Dipika:(remembering the long forgotten past) Mera,…. tumhe to patha hai main forensics me kitni interested thi.(Cathy nodded) Tho high school ke baad, medical se judi ek forensics college me barti hui. College ke baad Indian forensics research karne, paanch saal pehle India aayi. Special Squad college me research kar rahi thi. Meri kabiliyat aur merit dekhkar, mujhe Special Squad me job offer kiya gaya. Indian forensics me, aur vo bhi Special Squad jaise ek organization me kaam karma tho privilege hai. So I accepted the job and here I am.

Dipika opened her hands indicated towards herself. Cathy caught her hand and said…

Cathy:(tears welling in her eyes)Deeps, tumhe pata nahin main kitna kush hoon tumhe dekhke. It is always nice to see old friends again.

Dipika:(she too kept her hands on Cathy's and replied)Haan Cathy. Aur hum to bachpan ke dost hain. Lekin school ke baad tum bhi shift ho gaye aur main bhi, isiliye contact hi nahin raha. (remembering) Cathy, tumhara naam Catherine Smith hai naa. Lekin ab tumne Catherine D'Souza kaha..Iska matlab…

Cathy: (blushing)Haan. Deeps..Meri shaadi ho gayi. Maine kaha than a papa ke dost Daniel D'Souza, unke bete ke saath hi meri shaadi ho gayi, Samuel D'Souza. Vo bhi doctor hain. Tumne Samuel ko dekha hoga, Aryan ke operation ke waqt jo aaye the naa, wahi.

Dipika:(remembering)Haan.... Dekha tha, lekin baat nahin huyi. (showing false anger) Lekin shaadi ke liye bulaya nahin naa.

Cathy:(feeling sorry)Oh….Deeps, maine tumhare bare main pata karne ki bahut koshish ki, lekin pata nahin chala. I am so sorry.

Dipika:(smiling)Hey Cathy, I was just joking.Mujhe pata kit um mujhe kabhi bhoologi nahin.I am so happy for you. Congratulations.

She gave Cathy a bear hug which Cathy returned too.

Dipika:(moving away)Shaadi kab huyi?

Cathy:Chaar saal pehle. Mere doctory khatam hone ke baad, Uncle Daniel ne khud aakar papa se shaadi ki baat ki. Aur shaadi ke baad unhi ke hospital main join kar di.

Dipika:(surprised)Matlab..?!
Cathy: Haan…Ye hospital humara hai.Yahan hi nahin, Mumbai ke Apollo Hospitals bhi humara hai.
Dipika:To bolo, kab milva rahe ho apne janaab se. Formal introduction to karvao yaar.
Cathy:(blushing)Shayad kal. Aaj v eek case ke silsile main Mumbai gaye hain. He'll be back tomorrow. You can meet him then.

Dipika's smile had not lasted long. Even though she was smiling and talking to Cathy, her thoughts were about Aryan " Why had Cathy called her?Must surely be about Aryan. But what? Was it something serious?" She wanted to ask all this to Cathy(looking at Cathy), but she had said to wait for the reports. But Dipika……..

Cathy:??(shaking Dipika by her shoulders)Dipika……Kya hua? Dipika came to her senses and responded to Cathy.

Dipika:(sadness in her voice)Kuch nahin..Yuhin.
Cathy:(lifting Dipika's chin to see in her eyes) Jis Dipika ko main jaanti thi vo aisi nahin thi?Hmm.., kya main jaan sakthi hoon ki Aryan ke saath kya hua?

Dipika looked at Cathy. All the memories flashed in her mind. Th thoughts were terrible, but she started to tell Cathy about the incident. Kisi ko tho apna dukh share karma chahiye naa.

Dipika:Special Squad ko ek sarkari gawah ko bachane ka kaam diya gaya tha, jiskeliye Aryan Rajapur gaya. Vo Anna Kartoos ke khilaaf gawah dene wala tha .
Cathy:Anna Kartoos….. Ye naam tho maine paper me kayi baar pade hain. Wahi arm smuggler wala naa?
Dipika:Haan…..

Then Dipika described all, that happened from the time Aryan reached Rajapur(based on Aryan's update)till they had reached Nasik.

Dipika could barely complete the part they reached Nasik. Not only her mind was exhausted, but her body had started to feel the fatigue. It was noe only Cathy noticed that Dipika looked damn tired and depressed.

Cathy:(worried)Deeps, are you all right? You look exhausted. Tumne kuch khaya?
Dipika:Cathy, maine hi nahin, saare mere saath ke Special Squad ke members neb hi subah se kuch khaya nahin. Humara aim tho sirf Aryan ki jaan thi.

Cathy was surprised, shocked, stunned and happy. Yes, she was happy.

Cathy:(in a proud voice)Deeps, tumhe pata hai ki mujhe kitna garv ho raha hai. Special Squad jaisa ek organization to humare Bahrath ki shaan hai.

Dipika smiled at her appreciation and nodded.

Cathy:(continuing) Main, tumhare khane ka intezaam karti hoon?
Dipika:(not wishing to have anything alone)Nahi, Cathy vo…
Cathy:(consoling her)Are baba, mujhe pata hai tumhare bare main. I'll arrange for your whole team, okay.You just relax.

Dipika didn't reply anything and just smiled.Cathy turned towards the phone and again dialed an intercom number. Dipika was rested her head on the sofa's back and closed her eyes. She was not sleeping, but just wanted to relax.

Cathy: Dr.Catherine D'Souza bol rahi hoon. Mere kamre main paanch coffee bhijhva dena. Aur paanch sandwiches bhi .

Cathy hanged the phone and turned towards Dipika.Not wanting to disturb Dipika, she took a magazine and started going through it, when there was a knock on the door. Immediately Dipika opened her eyes. She saw Cathy get the door. It was the nurse Neena with a file in her hands.Must be Aryan's report.

Nurse:Doctor, aap ne jho reports maange the vo..

The nurse held out the file. Cathy received the reports and…

Cathy: Thank you. Aur ICU main us patient ko constantly monitor karte rehna.
Nurse:Ji, doctor.
Cathy:(remembering something) Aur haan. ICU ke bahar patient ke saath aaye teen log honge, unhe yahan bulake lana.
Nurse: Yes, doctor.

Saying this the nurse left. Cathy closed the door. Her face was grim as she came and sat near Dipika. Cathy started to read the reports, but her face clearly showed she was not happy with what she read. Dipika was worried.

Outside the ICU…….

Ajay:(worried) Neha bahut tired lag rahi ho. Kuch khan eke liye laaoon?
Neha:Nahin Ajay, its okay. Kuch laoge bhi to mere gale se kuch utarega nahin..
Ajay: Magar…

Just then the nurse approached them.

Nurse: (looking at everyone)Doctor ne aap sab ko bulaaya hai.
Ajay:(surprised looked at the Shotgun and then at the nurse) Hume,….?!
Shotgun:(same way surpised) Koyi zaroori baat to nahin?
Nurse: Haan, aap ko hi bulaya hai. Doctor unke kamre ke andar ke private room main hain.
Shotgun: Shayad, Dipika ne bulaya hoga kuch zaroori baat karne ke liye?
Neha: Lakin, kisi ko tho Aryan ke saath hona chahiye. We can't leave him alone.
Nurse: (hearing this, she answered smiling) Madam, aap kyoun chinta karthi hain. Main hoon na. Mujhe yahan ka duty diya gaya hai. All round the clock I will be with him, aap jaake Doctor se milye.

Neha, Ajay and Shotgun were all surprised to see such a considerate hospital staff.

Ajay: (smiling) Thank you. Sister.
Nurse: Isme thank you, ki kpi baat nahin sir.Ye humara farz hai. Aur
Dr.Catherine ne kaha hai ki is patient ka khaas dyan rakha jaye. To aap be phikar rahiye.

Saying this the nurse went into the ICU. Neha, Ajay and Shotgun looked at each other. They knew that Aryan was been taken care of very well. The reason must be because Dipika knew the doctor which was clear from their short talk some time ago. But how they knew each other was unknown. Must be they where old friends.

Neha went and had a look at Aryan through the "see through" in the ICU's door. The nurse was checking Aryan's pulse and the blood flow from the pouch. The nurse turned around and seeing Neha, she smiled and went back to her work.

With a hundred questions in mind, Neha, Ajay and Shotgun went towards the Doctor's room.