JandA stare at Raj in utter bewilderment. He returns their stare miserably. Jassi speaks first, gently putting her hand on his shoulder as she senses his distress. "Tumhe kaise pata chala?"
Haltingly, he tells them that he had gone over to Neha's house that night just to meet up. Finding no one there, he asked the neighbours if they had gone out somewhere, but all he came to know is that they had not returned to the house since Neha went to pick Nikki up from school. Jassi gives an "uh-oh" expression, remembering how they had run into Parvatlal that very afternoon in the ice-cream parlour.
Feeling a little apprehensive, Raj had inquired at Gulmohur, Nikki's school, and finally at the hospital where Nikki had been undergoing therapy, but with no clue. Neha's cellphone was switched off. When he returned to the house to check just in case they had come back, there was a note on the door. None of the neighbours had any clue who had left it, or when.
Now he holds out the note to JandA. Armaan snatches it and reads. It says, "Neha Shastri aur uski beti hamare mehmaan hai. Agar unhe zinda dekhna chahte ho, toh Jassi ko kaho, apne kaam se matlab rakhe."
JandA stare aghast at each other. Raj sinks down limply onto a sofa. Just then the telephone rings. A nervous Ila picks it up and utters a guarded "Hello?" The voice at the other end barks, "Jassi ko phone do!"
She feebly motions to Jassi that it is for her. Armaan, furious, is about to leap up and snatch the receiver, but Jassi silently pleads with him to be quiet and goes over to the phone. Putting the speaker on, she says stiffly, "Hello?"
Caller: Hamara note mila? Jasmeet Suri, tumhari doosro ke kaam mein taang adaane ki aadat gayi nahin? Soch lo….agar aisa hi raha toh Neha Shastri aur uski beti ko phir kabhi nahin dekh paogi!
Jassi: (angrily) Kaun ho tum? Himmat hai toh saamne aa ke baat karo!
Caller: Zaroor…..lekin usse pehle, tumhe hamare kucjh chote-chote kaam karne honge. Ek, Anuj Shastri ke case se related saare clues hamare hawale kar do. Doosra, tumhe….ummm nahin (evil chuckle) yeh baat thodi der baad karenge….aaj ke liye itna hi!
The voice signs off, leaving Jassi dazed.
Ila: (anxiously) What's the matter, Armaan? I'm sure tum log koi baat mujhse chhupa rahe ho!
Armu: Mom, aapko sab kuch bata denge….lekin abhi, hume police ko batana hoga…
Raj: Police? Are you sure? Kahin wo log Neha aur Nikki ko…..
Jassi: Nahin Raj, Armaan theek keh raha hai…..hume police ki help toh leni hi padegi……I'm sure yes ab CJ hi karva raha hai….aur hum akele usse handle nahin kar sakte, hume kanoon ki madad toh leni ho hogi…..
Raj and Armaan prepare to rush. Jassi comes with them, but Armaan stops her. "Nahin…tum yahin ruko. Yeh kaam dangerous ho sakta hai…..tum ghar mein hi raho…."
Jassi: (impatiently) Armaan, please….main tumhe aur Raj ko aise akele nahin…….
Raj and Armaan look at each other for a second. Then, with a quick movement, they pick her up and carry her unceremoniously to JandA's bedroom. Flinging her on the bed, they rush out and lock the door, ignoring her angry protests. Angel and Meghna, who are also present with Ila, look on amazed. Vedika asks dazedly, "Armaan Papa…..aap log kahan…"
Meghna attempts to soothe her, while asking Armaan if there is anything they can do. Armu shoots back that yes, they can stay behind and make sure that Jassi doesn't stir out of the house, and take care of Ashish and Vedika. As they both rush out, Armu calls to the bewildered Ila that Jassi will explain everything.
The police register their complaint and say they will start investigations. An impatient Raj tells them that they suspect CJ, but have no proof. The inspector coolly tells them that they can't take any action without proof, and anyway, CJ is already in jail. But, ACP Pradyuman of CID will soon be on the case and piece together the whole story.
Tomorrow: The search intensifies
Seher Hone Ko Hai
