FF: Ek Aur Zindagi.. Ch:29 page 137 - Page 21

Part 7:

Sakshi walked to the cabin unaware of Adi's presence in the room. She was about to take a chair when someone pushed her from back. "WTH??"

She turned around and saw a kid was already sitting on that huge chair. She narrowed her eyes when she saw his face. "Tum??"

Adi: aunty???

Sakshi saw the same boy, with whom she had to fight over an ice cream sitting in a huge chair and that too in her mom's office.

Sa: tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?

Adi: mien tho Nani se milne aya tha. Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho? nani se milne aye ho?

Sa: Nani?? Kaun Nani?

Adi was getting irritated. He was indeed having a great time and now she was putting it out.

By then Arjun and the whole team comes that way. They were coming back from a case and thought to pick up Adi too. They parked the car at the camp and Arjun was walking in. on the way he meets, Mrs. Anand's assistant Sophia. She tells him to wait and that she would bring Adi for him. Saphia walks in to the cabin and saw Sakshi along with Adi. The air was a bit tensed.

So: Adi apke papa aye hai. chalo.

Adi: aur nani?

So: unse mien keh dunga. Chalo I'll take you to your Dad.

Adi just looks at Sakshi and then walks away keeping the rubix cube on the table and then taking his bag. Arjun was at outside the camp, and Adi runs to his arms.

Sakshi was too tired that she goes in to find her mom so that they can leave to home.

Rathod was at the driving seat and Arjun at his side. Adi climbed up his lap and sat facing his Dad. The whole team was also in the SUV.

Adi: Dad, doc ko dikhaya?

Arj: ha. aur kaha ke mien bilkul teekh hu. Tell me how was your day? Maza aya?

Adi: ha, bohot. Dad let me show you something.

He opens his bag and shows the pictures that he has drawn. Arjun and the whole team appreciate him and the pictures. Later after dinner they go home.

This was the routine. Adi would go for jogging with his dad, where he rides his bicycle. Then both woud get ready for their destination. Arjun to his office and Adi to the camp. Day by day, Adi liked the camp. Arjun would come to pick him up daily. Whenever he was late, someone would come on his behalf and take Adi to office.

One such day:

Sam was called for a meeting at the DIG's office. He came after some time and meets his team in the office.

Sam: team, DIG se baath hua tha. He is happy with our work. Par unhe abhi bhi lag rahe hai ke hamare team ke mehnath logon thak teekh se pohoncha nahi hai.

Arj: apne kaam karo, phal ka chintha math karo.

Sam: I agree Arjun, but sir dosen't feel so. Akhir ye team unhi ke dream work hai. He wants our work to be known among the public so that they feel free to contact us when they need us. Aaj kal police se logon ke viswas uth rahe hai. He wants to change that.

Ais: iske matlab we need a publicist?

Arj: hum koi film stars nahi hai Aisha jisse publicity ke zaroorath pade.

Sam: don't get her wrong Arjun. In fact DIG sir bhi yahi line pe soch rahe hai.

Sr: tho unhone kya socha hai?

Sam: hamare team me ek aur join karne wale hai, jo hamare work ko cover kare aur logon that pohonchaye.

Sr: ek investigative journalist??

Sam: ha wahi.

Arj: ab iske hi kami thi.

Sam: don't flare up Rawte. These are orders from above. We can't do anything.

Ch: aur kab join karne wale hai ye new member?

Sam: patha nahi, shayad bohot jald hi.

Arjun did not like this idea. But he knew he didn't have a choice.

***

Sakshi was called up by her boss. She walks in with the latest reports ready.

Sa: sir, naye works ke reports ready hai.

Bos: (going through it) good. Lekin ab shayd tumhe ye sab karne ke zaroorath nahi padegi.

Sak: matlab?

So: ETF ke bare me kya janthe ho?

Sak: sir wo Mumbai ke jane mane investigative team hai. Brilliant in their work. Dare devil types. Aaj kal unke case kafi charchen me hai.

Bo: can you cover the story for them?

Sak: cover ETF story? Wo case jo abhi chal raha hai??

Bo: nahi balke wo sab jo wo solve karthe hai.

Sak: I didn't get you sir.

Bo: congradulations Sakshi. Tumhe ek nayi job offer mile hai, to be a part of ETF team to cover their work.

Sak: what?? That's a great opportunity sir. Par mien kaise…

Bo: kaafi din se DIG sir ke man me ye baath tha. Unhone sare jane mane papers ke main investigation journalist ke bare me puch rahe the. I recommended your name. kyunki hamare team ke best shot tho tum hi ho. DIG sir ne verifications ke bad tumhara naam liya. So are you ready to take up your work?

Sak: of course sir. It's an honor to work with them. Thanks for recommending my name sir.

Bo: you deserve it Sakshi. Now go for it. Meet DIG sir tomorrow. Ye raha appointment letter. And then do as he says.

She was feeling out of the world.it was indeed a great chance. The whole office comes to know about it and she goes to give them a treat too.

That evening Adi was waiting for his Dad. For past days, when ever he got time he was with Rubix cube. Still there was no progress. Nani was amused at the boy's concentration. Arjun calls her informing that his team member was coming to pick up Adi. Today it was Aisha who came to pick Adi.

After verifying the ID cards and confirming it was her, Nani brings Adi to Aisha. She could see a bonding between Adi and Aisha. He was never so happy with any one other than Arjun or Aisha. With Aisha he was so open, that Nani felt happy for Adi.

Aisha takes Adi to the SUV and drives to the office listening to his non stop update about the day. She buys an ice cream for him on the way. Adi liked Aisha a lot. He had felt warmth in her.

Sakshi comes to the camp to pick up her mom. She looked bursting with happiness.

Mom: bath kya hai? Ithne khush kyu ho?

Sak: mom I'm joining ETF soon.

Mom: kya? Tum journalist ho ya police officer?

Sak: mom… aap bhi na…

She informs everything about what the boss had told her. Mom was so proud of her daughter. Her work was getting recognition. Sakshi was a very bright and energetic lady in her studies. Once she desides something, she won't rest until she gets it. And that took her this far, mom hugs Sakshi with that proud feeling.

Next day:

Sakshi meets DIG and from there she receives her appointment letter. She was to meet her team for the first time. Last night she was so curious that she did do a small back ground search on the names of the team members.

ACP Sameer Rathod seemed to be a strict and punctual officer, who held his protocol as his main weapon. ACP Arjun Rawte was having a bit more interesting track. She was not new to the working principles of these 2 officers. She being an investigation freak had known the similarities and dissimilarities among them. Then was Aisha Kapoor who was ammunition expert, one among the recent entrant to the team. Sree, the tech geek, the huge Chotu commando and Liza who was another new comer who was the forensic expert. Truly a team to look forward.

Arjun had asked some time from Sam so that he could meet Mrs. Anand and catch up with Adi's work progress.

Mean while Sakshi takes her first step in the ETF that time. She was introduced to the team by Aisha. Sakshi met Sree, Chotu and Liza and she knew she was at home. The team was young and vibrant.

Then she met ACP Rathod, whom she called Sameer. At first the team was a bit shocked to hear someone calling the chief by his name. But for Sam, it was not at all a problem.

The team welcomed her whole heartedly.

Sam was in his cabin, when the team was catching up the non stop chatter of Sakshi. She was like a live wire. Full of life.

Sak: yaar suna hai yaha ek aur hot cop hai. kaha hai wo?

Ch: sahi kaha tune Sakshi. He is hot. Dekhne me bhi aur aadat se bhi. Isliye thoda bach ke rahna.

Sak: oye hoye… thab tho maza ayega.

"Kisse??" a voice rings the hall. Sakshi turns to see a man staring at her. The face was handsome… no it was far beyond it. Though she had seen his picture last night, to watch him live was so different. The black orbs were like magnet. She was held at the point.

"kisse maza ayega Ms. Anand??"

She didn't move much. Sree just gave her a light tap at the shoulder bringing her back.

"um…um.. sabko…"

"Really??"

"kyu? koi shak??"

All were raising their eyebrows. God… she is digging her own grave…

Arjun walks in the hall with his majestic stride and then stands in front of her. "maza aye na aye… kaam me koi dhakal kare ye mujhe pasand nahi hai.So before you start your work with us madam, ye baath samajhlo, agar apne journalist wali image leke hamare kaam ke beech agaye tho aap wahi jayega jaha se aye ho…"

She looks blankly at him. She was confused as of why he was not so happy. But then her devilish mind was active. She gives him a cheeky smile. "Thank you so much sir for welcoming me to the team. I know aap mujhse milke bohot khush hai. Even I'm so happy. Ab jaise AAP ne kah hai, lets work as a team. Yeah I'm looking forward for that. And thanks for saying that you and your team would be with me. Thank you so much"

He raised her forehead. "Is she gone mad? Miene kya kaha aur ye kya kya keh raha hai? What's happening?"

She saw his confused face and was so happy.

Sak: sir apke welcome speech jo hona chahiye, meine ussi ke jawab diya hai. aur jo aapne keh diya hai… don't worry I wont come in between your work.

He was a bit annoyed and walks off to his room. Sakshi turn triumphantly at the team.

Sr: yaar kya dialog mara hai. Mien tho socha tha ke samjhe ya samjhau ane wala hai…tu tho kamal kar diya yaar.

Sak: are Sree, kabhi kabhi kuch bathein sahi waqt pe, sahi thareeke se, sahi logonse kehna chahiye. Ye tho bas ek shuruath hai. aage dekho kya kya hone wala hai.

A case comes in. and whole team moves in. Sakshi's first day out with the team. She was chirpy at times and silent observer at other times. Arjun kept his distance from her. At times he gave his hard glare to her to silence her from blabbering out... the whole team was getting used to the silent treatment of Arjun and not-so silent grumbling by Sakshi.

After calling it a day she took her scooty to go back to the camp. Adi was taken home as the day was called in sooner than before.

Within few days, Sakshi was a part and parcel of the team. But Arjun was getting irritated by the chirpiness. That day Adjun was walking in having his cutting chai, when Sakshi comes in without noticing the cup of tea. She walks in and hits Arjun, thereby making the tea cup fall from his hands. The hot tea burnt his hands and also the glass shattered on the floor. All knew what was coming up soon. She looked at the shattered glass and also at his hand which he was shaking to cool it off. She knew the tea was too hot, and it must be hurting badly. She comes forward and holds his hands. But in between she missed the angry glare from his eyes.

He saw coming forward and holding his hands and blowing on it. It was his last straw. For the past few days, even tough she was being a great help for the team but, the immaturity which she showed at times was pissing him. "What the hell are you doing??" He barks and withdraws his hands away from her. She was too shocked to see his angry glares.

"Arjun… apke haath… I'm sorry… jal rahe hoge…mien ointment laga detha hu… please dikhao…"

Arj: stop this. Dekh ke nahi chal sakthe the kya? Dhyan kaha hai tumhara? Kithni bar kaha hai ke mere raste me math aao?? Par tum sunthe kyu nahi? Har bath pe mazak… na jagah ke parwa hai, aur na time ka..sirf mazak hai right? Had hothe hai laparwahi ke…

She was hurt a lot. She knew she was not careful but it was too much to hear the taunts from him. A tear escaped her eye.

Arj:great. Ab the usual theer nikaldo. Emotional drama. But mujhe koi farak nahi padne wale. Agar yaha team ke saath kaam karna chathe ho, tho thoda aur normal bano. Warna chale jao.

He walks out of the room banging the door. Though there was no need to say this much today, it was the result of what that has been accumulated lately.

Aisha walks to her and keeps a hand on her shoulder. Sakshi needed to cry out. But she never wanted to be weak in front of others.

Sak: Aisha, Sameer se kehna ke mien aaj jaldi chale gaye. I just need some fresh air…

Aisha nods and let her go. Sakshi walks out so that she could get hold of herself. She needed a shoulder to cry upon. And she knew the only place for that.

She went to the camp and walked to her mom's cabin.she was not there. She looked at he other rooms and with the kids. Mom was not there. She was feeling frustrated. Already she was in pain and she was not getting to meet her mom. She sat in the cabin with her face in her palms.

A few minutes later a small knock came at the door and saw a head peeping in. it was Adi.

She didn't know why she was getting angrier. She was feeling like bursting out. "tum yaha kya kar rahe ho? jao aur khelo"

Adi:mien nani se milne…

Sak: kaun nani? Yaha tumhare nani nahi hai. chale jao.

Adi: par, nani ne kaha tha ke jab drawing ban jaye tho ajao.

He walks in with a painting in his hands.

Sak: meine kaha na, wo yaha nahi hai. jao…

Adi:aap gussa kyu ho?

Sak: God, why are you asking all these… ithne sawal karthe hai... isliye tumhare parents tumhe yaha choda hai right?

Adi: nahi... Dad ko office jaana hai…isliye…

Sak: aur mom, wo tumhe ghar pe kyu nahi rakha?

Adi: wo… wo…

Sak: dekha meine kaha tha na… tum ithne thang karthe ho, isliye sab tumhe yaha chod diya, warna vacation pe wo tumhe ghar pe rakhthe na…

Adi was feeling it hard to understand. "aise bath nahi hai…"

Sak: tho kya hai? agar tum ache bache hothe tho koi tumhe chodke nahi jathe…

That was too much for him to grasp. So that's why mom left him?? that's why bhagwanji took her away from him?? because he was bad??

Part 7: