PART 13:
Sam reaches home. One look at Arjun said something was off. While getting in he had noticed a hit mark on the SUV too.
Sam: kya hua Arjun? koi accident?
Arjun gives the latest chit to Sam.
"sambhalna... waqt bohot kam hai..."
Sam: par ye...
Arjun silences him with a finger on the lips and indicates Adi. He was hugging tight to Arjun and was sowly drifting to sleep.
Sam: any clue? (he asks silently)
Arjun nods no silently. Sam was waiting Adi to sleep, and in mean while goes to check the SUV. When he came back Arjun and Adi was not in hall. He goes inside the bedroom, whose door was opened.
Arjun placed Adi in the bed. The little boy seemed too strained. He mumbles something when placed in bed. Arjun pats him to sleep and the tucks him inside a blanket. And then place a pillow near to him, just for safety. When he turns back, Sam was waiting for him, leaning onto the door, hands crossed across his chest.
There was a smile on Sam's face watching Arjun doing all these. Arjun just indicates to come out and they go out leaving the light dim for Adi.
Sam:kya hua tha? Did you see the vehicle?
Arj: (sitting heavily on the couch, rubbing his forehead) no. bas ek black SUV hai. peeche koi number plate nahi tha. sab bohot jaldi hogayi thi.
Sam: are you sure ye koi accident nahi tha?
Arj:patha nahi.lekin wo do notes, fir ye accident... kuch teekh nahi lag raha.
Sam saw Arjun looked really tired. His face was in his palms.
Sam: don't worry we'll see to it.
Arj: kaise Sam?na mien wo gaadi ke number janthe hai. na mien ye janthe hai ke wo do chits kisne likha hai.aur yaha Adi bohot dar gaye hai.puch rahe hai hame kaun marna chahtha hai. I don't know mien usse kya kahu.
Sam knows the fear of Arjun. He looked really disturbed. Sam brings a glass of water to Arjun.
He looks at Sam. His friend.
Sam: its ok. We'll make it sure ye last time hai ke Adi dar gaye hai. we'll make it sure.
Arjun knew he was honest. But his fear was something beyond that he could handle.
Sam: mien office ja raha hu. Let me see what I can do. Sree aur Chotu se kehke yaha ke security badha saktha hu. And camp me tho already nazar rakhe hai.
Arj: nahi tum ghar jao. now we have nothing to move ahead. Let's see it tomorrow.
Sam: ok... So you are fine now?
Arj: patha nahi. Ek side mujhe uss gaadi ke peeche jane ko keh rahe hai.dusre side...mujhe Adi ke bohot fikar ho rahe hai.
Sam (placing a hand on Arjun's shoulder) : don't worry. Everything will be fine. if you want take a day off. Shayad Adi may need it.
Arjun nods and Sam stand to leave. He goes to the room and saw Adi hugging tight on the pillow and sleeping well. He caresses the boy and leaves shortly.
Arjun was still in the hall. He leans back on the head rest of the sofa closing his eyes.
Why is it all restarting??
He was early that day. He was back by 5 pm. He buzzed the door bell waiting for her. And there she was, with the cutest smile and with a baby in her hand. Adi... he was just a few weeks away from his second birthday.
Roshni was giving Adi his favorite cereal when the doorbell rang. She opened to see her Arjun at the doorstep.
Arj: hey jaan...hai Adi... aaj Dad ko lene aap khud agaye?
Arjun shows his hand to Adi, who was struggling to get to his Dad's hands. Arjun grabs him up, hugging him and kiss his hair. Roshni was standing smiling at the duo.
Ros:bade ache timing pe aye ho Arjun. Adi mere ek bath nahi sun raha hai. aaj patha nahi isse kya hua.kuch khane ka naam bhi nahi leraha hai.
Arj:koi bath nahi. Ab mien agaya hu na... sab sambhal denge.. haina Adi...
Arjun was tickiling Adi's tummy and Adi who was giggling hard and busy in playing with Arjun's stubble and nose. "rju..." he whispered...
Arjun smiled at his son's effort to get his attention.
Arj: Arjun nahi baba... Its Dad...Arjun sirf apke mom keliye. Its dad for you...
Adi: dadda...
Arj: ok... fir dadda... better than rju... Sunke kafi pak gaya hu...
Rosh: Arjun... bas...
Next few moments were fun... with Adi drooling the cereal all over Arjun's shirt when he tried his hand to feed him. Adi was in a full on masti mood.
"Dad..."Arjun woke up from his trance with Adi's voice. He rushes in.
Adi was sitting up in the bed, almost shivering.
Arjun goes by him and pulls him to his shoulder. "kya hua Adi? Koi bura sapne dekha?"
Adi:dad...
Arj: sh... its ok... its ok...
The kid at last lost his control and sobbed on his dad's shoulder. Arjun held him tight patting his back and speaking sweet nothing in his ears. "sh... mien hu na yaha apke paas... Sh...its ok..."
After some time of weeping, Adi sleeps on Arjun's shoulders. Arjun couldn't part his son. He lay down on the bed, still hugging him.
He couldn't stop worrying.
He woke up by 7 pm. He never knew when he slept with his son.little Adi was sleeping on his belly snuggling close to Arjun. He remembered playing with Adi when Roshni was busy in kitchen at times coming in checking on them. Leaving the two Rawtes together was next to keeping a cracker ready to burst. She reminded him of going for a pooja that was held at Mrs. Sharma's home, where she was invited to attend it. As Arjun was back home early that evening, she wished to attend it if possible. And after the kitchen works, she went to watch Arjun. the 2 Rawtes were sleeping peacefully. She didn't have a mind to call them, so left a note by the side table and went.
Arjun when opened his eyes and moved a bit, Adi was alerted. He pat him back to sleep, and saw the note on the table.
"Mrs. Sharma ke ghar pooja. Will be back by 7 30. Take care. Jaldi aungi...ok...Roshni"
He smacked his head. "ye Roshni... pooja ke naam pe hi daud jathe hai"
She was a very religious person.and he never stopped her from following her faith.for him, anything that would gave her peace of mind was fair enough.
It's only some minutes past 7.he looked Adi. "apke mumma athe hi hoge. Mien abhi aya..."
He went out and saw the door was locked from outside. He took a spare key and opened it and went out. She has taken the car along with her.
He came in and quickly changed his dress and started waiting.he dialed her number. She took it after a few rings.
Ros: sorry Arjun.pooja abhi khatam hue hai.just going to the car now.
Arj:why didn't you call me?
Ros:aap sorahe the. aur Adi bhi. Socha disturb na karu. Adi uth gaye?
Arj: nahi,abhi so rahe hai.sambhalke aana.
Ros:ok, will be there in 10 min.
Arj:see you soon.
He waited for her. Meanwhile he arranged the table too. She must be hungry.
He waited and waited. Time passed 7 30. She should have reached by now.may be stuck at traffic. But...
He dialed her number. She was not picking it up. He tried many a times.but still no response. He dialed Mrs. Sharma's home number. They informed that she left long back.it was getting almost 8 pm now. He never stopped trying her number.Adi was awake now and was searching for his mom.
"mumma..."
Arj:mumma abhi ajayegi Adi... chalo hum firse unhe call karthe hai.
He gave some toys to Adi, but the kid was getting cranky.
At last someone picked the call. But it was not Roshni.
Man: sorry to tell you sir, aap jinhe call kar rahi hai, unke accident hogayi hai...
Arjun woke up with a jerk.
Adi was still on his chest. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. It was almost morning now. And sleep had left him, yet again.
***
Sakshi was awake, fresh and fine.
She went out to kitchen after fresh up and hugged her mom from behind. "good morning mumma"
Mom:good morning.kya bath hai aaj bade pyaar arahe is bechari ma pe
Sa:pyaar tho hamesha hi hai..jab thak hai jaan ...jab thal hai jaan...
Mom:that was a bit filmy... ab bolo maska kyu laga rahe ho.
Sa:haww aaj kal pyaar ka koi kadr hi nahi hai...khair chodo..
Mom: aise kya hua ke aapko mujhse ithna pyaar agaye?
Sak: kuch khas nahi.mumma bolna, was I a tough kid? I mean bohot tang karthi hogi na mien?
Mom: tang ke bare me pucho math.under world don thi tum.
Sak: (rolling her eyes) fir bhi achi thi na?
Mom: kabhi kabhi. Ye ho kya gaya hai tumhe?
Sak:bas yuhi...
Mom:cube complete hua?
Sak:are nahi na... kuch horaha tha.uss Chotu ne sab bigad diya.
Mom:hm. Adi ne bade ache challenge diya hai tumhe.
Sak:aur mien bhi kuch kam nahi hu.usse complete karke hi chodungi.
Mom: all the best for that. nashta karo,warna late hogi.
***
Arjun comesafter frsh up.Adi was still asleep. He knew it was not safe to take him for jog today.so he let it be. He snuggled closer to Adi.
Adi woke up and turned to his dad.
Arj:good morning champ
Adi: good morning
There was still a trace of worry in his tone.
Arj: tho aaj ka kya plan hai?
He wanted to make his son comfortable and not frightened. So he tried to lighten the situation.
Adi:kuch nahi
Arj: aaj camp nahi jaana hai?
He nods no and snuggled closer to Arjun. "mujhe kahi nahi jaana"
Arjun knew it was going to be tough.keeping him away from the world will only increase the fear. But to loosen everything, will be risky too. So he needed to balance it.
Arj: ok... nahi jaana hai tho koi problem nahi. Aaj hum dono chutti lethe hai.bolo kya karna hai aaj apko? Kahi jaana hai?
Adi: no... hum yahi rukhenge. Please...
Arj: no problem.
Adi: thanks dad.
Arrj: kyu baba? Hum dono aaj khoob masti karnege ok...
Adi nods yes and hugs his dad tightly.
Arj(in mind): this is going to be tough.
Arj: ok ab utho...brush karthe hai. badi bhoog bhi lagi hai. chalo chalo get up...
Adi gets up and goes to get his brush. Arjun quickly messages Sam.
"wont come today. Adi needs me. Keep me informed"
He gets back a reply. "asked a few about anything unusual.went to the spot. Still on it. take care of Adi"
Sam had called Sree at night and had gone to the spot.but they couldn't get anything that could help them. He spoke to Chotu's informer who had kept the watch. Still no lead. It was getting to a dead end. And searching for the kid who passed the chit was out of question.there were many kids over there at that time.hoping nothing would happen soon was the only resort. Sam asked to keep the matter under wrap for many some time. Only Sree and Chotu knew about it.
Aisha walked to Sam's cabin. He looked disturbed.
Ais:sir, files are ready, need your signatures on it.
Sam:hm...
He took it and was signing and then gave her back.
Ais:are you alright sir?
Sam:ha bas...
Ais:kya hua sir?
Sam: kal rath Arjun aur Adi ke gaadi ko ek accident hua.
Ais:what?
He explains about the chit to her and the incidents.
Ais: Adi teekh tho hai na sir?
Sam:ha,thode dare hue hai. aaj Arjun leave pe hai. they need some time together.
Ais:oh...
They were silent for a while. she noticed him to be upset.
Ais:aap fikar math kijiye. they wil be fine.
He looked up. There was concern in her eyes. Was that for Adi or not?
Sam could see something in those eyes. But it was hard to read.
He just brushed away his thoughts. "please keep it under wrap for now.ab bas Sree aur Chotu janthe hai.agar kisi ko patha chal gaya ke hum kisike peeche hai, tho they will be alert. Unhe patha tho hoga ke hum chup nahi baitenge, fir bhi unhe aise lagne chahiye ke hum dead end pe hai. we'll look into it silently."
Ais:yes sir. I'll make it sure.
She left and reached her cabin and was thinking. She could visualise Adi's frightened face.who would think of hurting that kid?Arjun sir must be really worried. Aur Rathod sir is equally worried too.wo chupane ke koshish tho kar rahe hai. lekin wo unke ankhon me saf saf hai...
Her thoughts lingered for a while till Sakshi walks in.
Sak:kaha kho gayi ho madam?
Ais: huh? nahi kuch nahi.
Sak: kuch tho hai. are you alright?
Ais:ha yaar.I'm fine. ab bol kya hua?
Sak: well aaj mujhe mere purane office jana tha. Kuch materials meine collect kiya tha, uske bare me kaka se puchna hai.
Ais: kaka?
Sak: ha hamare office ke purane staff hai. unke paas mere kuch informations hai. do you think Sameer mujhe jaane denge?
Ais:puchke tho dekho
Sak: thode recoment tho karo.
Ais:mien? Recoment? Kaise yaar?
Sak:bano math.sabko patha hai, Sameer tumse kuch zyada hi lineint hai.
Ais: Sakshi?? Kya keh rahi ho tum?
Sak:sach yaar.you never noticed it? ek ETFofficer ho tum. Keep your eyes open. Ab mien tho chali Sameer se puchne.zara soch lena...bye
She walks out leaving a confused Aisha. "Rathod Sir?? ye Sakshi bhi..."
She tries to think ahead, but somewhere she knew Sakshi had said the truth.Had she not noticed it too?
PS:yeah... you got it right...
I'm not going for the Roshni-Sikander track here... pak gayi hu mein...
Anupamaa
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