FF: Khamoshiyaan... (chap 37 page 133) - Page 23

CHAPTER 9:

Allahabad:

She was up and went for her regular routine. Now as she had decided to go, she needed some back ups. There was a job over here that she could not leave as such. A few students who saw her as an elder sister. And more than that, she needed a valid reason for herself, as if why am I actually going back?

She searched for the answer in herself. The life that she left behind was something that would always remain in her heart. It was the life that brought him to her life. A life that changed the Aisha within her…. The one that changed her all belief in life… a dream come true life.

It was coincidences that lead her to him. A small fight, some initial ego clashes, some verbal wars… those were just the beginnings… but soon… all equations changed… and it changed for good too…

But then….

"kabhi mere yadon me rona math Aisha…. Mien yahi hu… tumhare paas!!!"

And he kept his words too… there was not a time when she couldn't feel his presence. But did she fulfil her promise? Up to what extend? Nope… she didn't….

Now she needed a reason to go back…

Though the ETF officer was buried deep inside her by herself… her subconscious mind didn't always allow her to do so. Any clipping, any news, any slight change in the air in Mumbai was well known to her… she rejoiced with ETF's each praise worthy works. She could visualize Sree sitting in front of his screen, Chotu showing his might in the interrogation even without touching the criminal, Rathod Sir brushing his chin with hs usual dammit…. And him… folding his arms rubbing his finger tips… 'kuch tho chuut raha hai Rathod…'

***

Aman had worked over night now on the file. There was just a name mentioning about Nadiya and after that she vanished. How couldn't she… after all the Nadiya was indeed dead now. the one whom he saw was not her… its someone else who is inside her. But who? How??

The questions were ever so many.

***

ETF office:

Rathod's mood changed after the arrival of the mail. The new arrival that evening was totally out of his mind now. he felt good.

His change was easily absoarbed by the team too.

Sh: inhe dual personality syndrome tho nahi hai na? kuch der pehle muh latkakae baite the. Ab kya hua?

Liz: kisse patha. But jo bhi hua, acha hua. See he is happy.

Ch: ab wo sab chod, warna firse mood swings hoga, aur hamare kaam chale jayega.

All get back to the workstation when Rathod come in. "no new case yet. So lets complete the paper works"

Commissiomer office:

Aman walks in with the file to Coehlo's room. "good morning Sir."

Co: good morning Aman. Baito. So you found your answers in that file.

Aman: some answers and also some more questions.

Co: mien samjha nahi.

Aman: ye ek case mujhe bohot confuse kar rahe hai sir. Bohot sare open links hai. jisse mien jodhna chahtha hu.

Co: but why now? that too after 2 years? Aise kya problem hai?

Aman: I cant say it clearly now sir. But I think isme ek galath report hai. someone alive is mentioned as dead.

Co: tum kiske bare me keh rahe ho?

Aman: let me confirm it sir. Then I'll talk to it. uss undercover mission me mera role James ko pakadna tha. Uskeliye kuch din Mumbai se bahar gaye. 3 din baad James aur uske team ko Goa se pakad liya. Par uss 3 din me kaafi kuch badla. ye case badme ETF ke haath me aye the right? Aur anti-narcotics ke ek chief ko arrest bhi kiya tha.

Co: (remembering the past) tumhare mission successful hua tha. Lekin… ha, ye case ke later proceedings ETF ne kiya tha. And that brings you again to our topic of discussion.

Aman: sorry I didn't get you.

Co: kya janthe ho ETF ke bare me?

Aman: ETF ke bare me kaafi kuch suna hai sir. And I must say, you must be really proud of that team. Akhir wo aapke in charge me jo hai.

Co: ha… I m really proud of that team. Magar….

Aman: I know, do saal pahle jo hua… I remember it well… suna tha sources se…

Co: the most unfortunate incident. Uske baad bhi wo team apne 100% derahe hai. lekin they are pushing themselves a lot. Aajkal jobhi high profile cases athe hai, tho upar se ETF ka hi recommend hothe hai. they are stressing out a lot. And that's were you are coming in now.

Aman: you mean…

Co: ha, I am appointing you as the second-in-command of the team. You have any objection?

Aman thinks for a while. the team was worth working with. Aaj thak aise kuch nahi hua jo ETF se nahi ho paya. They had power in dealing with any of the crimes, even lf it had upper connections. They were answerable to the minimum. And that made them more efficient. And to work with such a team…. Would be great change from his one man army policy. And again... Nadiya…. May be he can get some news about her and her actual place in the world.

Aman: ok sir, I'm ready for it.

Coelho was indeed happy. He takes out the envelope and gives it to him. "ab officialy ye envelope khul ke dekhlo."

Aman takes it with reverence. "tho kab join karna hai sir?"

Co: shubh kaam me deri kyu hai? abhi chalthe hai. meine tumhare chief ko bathaya tha ke aaj sham thak hum arahe hai. lets do it now.

Aman was ready for the new mission. A new beginning.

ETF office:

The team was busy with the paperworks when Neha comes in after a knock. "Sir, Commissioner arahe hai. they are about to reach here."

Rathod looks a bit startled. "ithne jaldi?" he thinks to himself.

Sre: they???

Neha: sir, Comm. sir ke saath koi aur bhi hai.

Sre: par kaun?

Sam: ane do unhe Sree. Tumhe sab patha chal jayega.

Sree, Chotu and Liza look at each other and wait for them.

Comm sir walks in with an elegant looking man, who was watching the surroundings eagerly with a smile on his lips. Clad in navy blue shirt and jeans, he had an air of authority along with a friendly looks. anyone would have a great first impression of this man.

Co: good morning team.

Team: good morning sir.

Sam: sir… aap yaha? Aapne tho sham ko kaha tha?

Co: well, why should I wait more Rathod? Socha abhi hi sabse miltha hu.

Sree and Chotu exchange a confused to look.

Co(to the team): team… welcome ACP Aman Ali, jo aaj se apke second- in command hoge.

Coelho had expected the shock from the team. He was ready even for the worst. But as usual, ETF surprised him. There was no questioning, no disgust looks, no complains…. They were just blank… blank of any emotions. Rathod was looking at his team. Liza looked at Chotu, Sir and then at Sree. It was Sree who showed the maximum shock. She could see the color drained from his face. There was a hidden pain in those eyes, that she had noticed whenever she caught him looking at the closed cabin. Coelho and Aman was observing them. there was no welcome, no smile… just pure pain.

Aman felt out of the group at that moment. Maybe I am not welcomed here. But he didn't blame them at all…. After all he was new to the group….

Coelho grabbed the atmosphere quickly and took the matter in his hands. "Aman, meet your chief, ACP Sameer Damsingh Rathod… Rathod, this is ACP Aman Ali."

The 2 gentlemen shook their hands with a small smile.

Sam: welcome to ETF, Aman. You are most welcome to the team.

Aman: thank you sir.

Sam: well, I prefer Rathod… if you don't mind.

Aman: (smiling) well and good, Rathod.

Sam: meet your team. Sree- the tech expert. Chotu- commando. And Liza- the forensic expert.

Al shook hands with Aman, with an indused smile. Though Sree didn't even try to show it. Aman was closely watching the team, especially Sree.

Co: well then that settles it. hope you all have a great time. Aman welcome onboard again.

Aman: thanks sir.

Coehlo was about to leave.

Sam: excuse me Sir, I need to speak.

Co: not now Rathod. I have a meeting now. meet me in my office at noon.

Sam: ok sir.

With that Coehlo leaves the team with Aman. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds, which was broken by Rathod. "Ok Aman, well abhi thak koi naye cases nahi aye hai, tho you may use this time to make yourself comfortable."

Aman: sure. Kafi suna hai ETF ke bare me. I'm realy looking forwad for our work.

Sam: In that case, we will show you your cabin. (to the team) Team….

He saw Sree's pale face.

Sam: ok, Liza, Aman ko uska cabin dikhao. Kafi din se band hai, we will take care of it soon.

Aman noticed a slight pain in each pair of eyes.

Liza: sure sir. (to Aman) please come sir.

Liza takes Aman to his cabin, leaving Rathod with the other 2.

Sam: I know tum dono kya soch rahe ho. take your time, but then we need to work as a team ok??

They nods and Rathod leaves to his cabin with a heavy heart. Was he honest with hisown words??

Liza and Aman reaches his cabin. Liza was trying her best to keep up a great face. "welcome to your cabin sir. Kafi din se band hai sir. But its clean. Koi bhi zaroorath pade tho please bula dena"

It looked she was in a hurry.

Aman: Liza, are you comfortable with me?

Liza: aap naye hai sir, so naturally we need time. please don't mind.

Aman: not at all. Take your time. I know its tough.

He smiles at her and she returns it too. She was at the door, when he calls her back. "Liza…"

She turns back to him. "ye cabin, ACP Rawte ke the… right??"

Her smile fades. "yes Sir" she mumbles and leaves quickly.

Aman looks around the simple but elegant room. ACP Rawte's room. From there he could see Sree in his work area. He looked so disturbed.

After settling for a while, he went to the refreshment room. But he was stopped at the 3 people's voice. They didn't notice him behind the glass door.

Liza: waise uthne bhi bure nahi hai. he smiles… after all thas a good sign.

Aman smiles at this.

Sr: ek bar smile kiya, aur tum unpe fida hogaye??

There was rage in his tone.

Liza: tum temper kyu lerahe ho Sree? I just said he is not that Khadoos type.

Next Aman heard a banging on the table.

Sr: tum kehna kya chahthe ho? you are comparing him with Arjun Sir!!!

Liza: meine aisa kuch nahi kaha Sree.

Sr: shut up Liza… I get what you mean. Ek bar kaan kholke sunlo… koi bhi, kahi se bhi aye… wo kabhi bhi unke jagah nahi lesakthe. Chahe wo unke position pe baite… ya unke cabin use kare… never….

Sree marches out of the room. Aman just moves away from his way and Sree never knew it.

Liza: meine aise kya keh diya Chotu? I never said anything about it.

Ch: Sree ke bathon ke bura math mano Liza. Tum janthe ho… Rathod sir aur Aisha ke baad, Sree Arjun sir ke kafi kareeb the. Hamesha unke saath hi hothe the. So he will need some time. lets give him that.

Aman now gets what he was missing. He goes back to the cabin. He gently touches the black leather chair and leans on it. his eye went to Sree's work area. Sree was looking at this side too. But Sree couldn't see Aman watching him too. It was a one way glass.

Sree looked vey upset. He sat on his chair with his face covered by his hands. Aman felt bad for him.

Aman looked back at the empty chair by him. "sab tumhe kafi miss kar rahe hai ACP Rawte. Kaha ho tum??"

He could here Chotu's words again in his ears.

"Rathod sir aur Aisha ke baad, Sree Arjun sir ke kafi kareeb the."

Aisha… ab ye kaun hai??

Allahabad:

She was in her rocking chair with a train ticket to Mumbai.