MUMBAI
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'Holy sh*t!!! Yeh kaise hua!!!' Abdul slammed on the couch with popped out eyes. His gaze was fixed at mirza's right arm, presently wrapped under a plaster.
'Nothing yaar...just broke it...' mirza uttered with a frown. He was still to get out of the effect of the stinging pain he had to go through few hours back. If a single hairline fracture could brought such havoc, mirza wonder, what a full fledged broken bone would have made him go through.
'Yah...but...how come?' asked a worried Abdul.
'Was playing squash...slipped...hairline fracture...20 days under plaster...that's all.' mirza summarized the entire incident within few words. He was simply not in a mood to shell out a detailed account. But that much was surely not enough to satisfy his pal. Hence Abdul went again, 'but how can you just...slip? I mean...you are such a pro...salon se khel raha hai yaar...aise kaise gir gaya?'
'Woh...I...slipped over pineapple juice...' uttered Mirza in a barely audible voice.
'What!!! Pineapple juice pe gir gaya!!! But what the hell pineapple juice was doing in your squash court!!!' Today there was no end of surprises for Abdul. And what was making him more irate was mirza's 'chalta hai' reaction towards the entire thing. As if breaking a hand is hardly an issue to be bothered about. He was surprised...how can a fussy guy like Mirza be so cool with a broken hand...how come he is not taking about bringing the world down! Well...Abdul got the reason...when Mirza uttered the next sentence.
'Hassan was drinking it...bottle me leak tha...juice fell on the floor...and...' Here Abdul took the cue. '...And you fell on the juice'.
'YES.' Mirza replied briefly.
'Hassan should have been careful...' No sooner these much came out of Abdul's mouth, his mind pulled the plug. It made him face the fact that he just blamed Mirza's son! That too in front of him!
'Sh*t', Abdul silently scolded his tongue for this crime. And just as he expected Mirza took almost no time to react. 'Bachha hai...how is he supposed to be careful? Tu bhi kaisi baat karta hai...' Mirza didn't express his annoyance loudly but it was clear enough from his face that he didn't like his son to be blamed for this.
Sensing Mirza's annoyance Abdul swiftly changed the topic. 'Fir toh...you'll have to rest at home...or you will come to office?'
'Will rest for a week...at least. Then office. Waise bhi...with my badmash son with me I can even live in a lonely island.' With this Mirza broke into a laugh.
'Are wah! Beta kya agaya tu toh ghar se nehi nikal raha...biwi ayegi toh room se bahar nikal na muskil hoga!!!' Abdul laughed back with a wink.
'Woh toh hai...after all...bearing this for 5 long years...waqt toh lagega.' Mirza uttered in a husky voice as he leaned back on the couch. A strange smirk was playing on his face. It didn't escape Abdul's eyes either.
'Hold back your thoughts Mirza. As far as I know your wife...even if you think of doing all these, she will kill you RIGHT THERE...' Abdul uttered with a smirk.
'Trust me Abdul...that would be a death of bliss for me.' With this both of them broke into a laugh riot.
Few minutes later...
'Chal yaar I don't have any more time to waste. You play with your son...I need to go office.' Wrapping up their chit chat session, finally Abdul stood up to leave...but then something struck in his mind...something...hard enough to cause him a sting. Abdul turned again to Mirza. 'Kamine...you are sitting at home with broken hand!!! Then who's gonna sign the contract with Korean Company!!!'
'Ab mere Abbajaan toh nehi kar payenge...' Mirza uttered blatantly. He actually had fun watching this sudden change in Abdul. And this reaction of Mirza irked Abdul even more. This time he came in a much serious tone. 'I know he can't...but his son must find a way. IMPERIAL is working on it for months...it simply can't end like this.'
'There is no other way Abdul. CEO ka sign chalega nehi and I can't sign right now...so...' Mirza didn't finish what he began...he didn't feel like pronouncing those expected words. Just like Abdul, he felt bad too...but there was no other way he could have strolled on to avoid this mishap. Now the only thing he could think of doing was...sending a 'thank you' mail to the employees who worked on this deal. Mirza was about to spell his mind out to his friend but before he could do so, Abdul's words, pulled him on his feet.
'You can't...but your wife can sign on your behalf na?'
Though it was undeniable on Mirza's part that...he himself had no faith on his word...but intentionally he never wanted to break the promise he made to Razia. That's the reason why he was putting so much effort to stay away from her, knowing very well every such minute was cutting him less. Hence, Abdul's suggestion to drag Razia in this ruffled mirza. He turned it down immediately. 'Don't even think of...I don't want to drag her into these. And I promised her not to divulge our marriage to anyone...so...forget it.' With this Mirza turned to leave but again Abdul made him stop. 'Mirza...try to understand...a bunch of young people worked on this project day and night...won't this be injustice to them?' Abdul tried to put forward his logic before Mirza, but he forgot...Mirza never bother about any when it comes to Razia. As a result he failed miserably. 'It doesn't matter to me in any way...and you know it very well Abdul. Nothing against her wish...and that's final.' With this mirza tried to close the topic. But Abdul was not done yet. Sensing all his attempts going to ashes he threw the last cube. 'Nothing will be against her wish...I will talk to her and ONLY IF she agrees, we will take this further. Otherwise I will just dumb this project forever.'
Now this logic given by Abdul somehow made sense with Mirza. But still he couldn't brush off the hesitation from his heart. More than hesitation, it was worry that Mirza was feeling. He was worried about Razia's reaction to the entire thing. He was worried that she may think it to be another ploy of him. The restless battle going inside Mirza didn't go unnoticed by Abdul either. He lightly placed his hand on Mirza's shoulder and uttered, 'don't worry buddy...I will never let that happen. Bharosa hai na aapne dost pe?'
'Khud se jyada...'Mirza truly had that trust on his buddy.
PUNE
--------
The man studied the number for third time. Still he was far away from getting any clue...who this could be...a client or someone else...Giving it few more minutes he finally picked up the call. 'Hello...who's this?'
'Doesn't matter.' Answered the lady on phone.
'Then tell me what matters.' The man was quick enough to hit back. These lil hiccups were nothing unnatural in his profession. He was used to them.
'I have a task for you.' Uttered the lady briefly on phone.
'Am listening.' Replied the man with patience...but just to be dumbfounded by the caller's next words. 'You should not. You are not going to be briefed on phone.'
'Then what am I supposed to do?' an irritation could be sensed in the man's voice.
'Take the next flight to Kolkata. You will be briefed on the way.' The lady on phone sounded damn confident in her command.
'I think...before that...I need to make...' before the guy could complete, the caller broke into. 'Task what I ask for...and money what YOU ask for. Hope you got your answer?'
'Yes.' Replied the man.
'Then wish you all the luck for your task ahead.' With this the call ended, leaving the private sleuth wondering what the task could be.
KOLKATA
--------------
'Razia apna pen toh leti ja...' Rinki pushed the pen to Razia.
'Thanks yaar...main toh bhul hi gayethi...' Razia picked up the pen and turned to leave, but Ridhima's words made her stop. 'Isn't it quite normal these days?...I mean the 'so active' Razia is turning into a forgetful mess...you know...it's too tough to swallow.'
'Then don't. Never eat what you can't digest...Ridhima.' Giving a final glare razia left, not before unlocking a new floodgate of problems that will aggravate her future troubles many fold.
Razia was not the kind of person, who rudely behaves with people. But water was rising above her head with Ridhima. She had no idea for what reason, everyday Ridhima comes with a new testimony to Razia's changing life. The more Razia tries to play it down, the more she fans it. For last few days things were just slipping out of Razia's hand and her patience. She was waiting for a chance to shut her up...to make Ridhima understand...she wasn't liking any of these. That's what Razia did today.{everyone including me have some persons like that in our life.} Made her point clear to Ridhima. But in the process of doing this, Razia unknowing pushed Ridhima out of friendly ring...made her enemy...an enemy who's gonna cost her havoc in near future.
An irate Razia came out of the school. She was almost boiling with anger. She was angry with Ridhima...she was angry with Mirza...she was angry with her fate...she was angry with each and every aspect of her life. She wished she could have slashed them apart from her life. But she couldn't. She was fated to live with them. And this un-putdown-able and constant truth turned Razia's life into a living hell. It kept reminding her every second...that irrespective of her efforts she will have to bear this burden all her life. No MERCY...No ESCAPE.
Razia looked at her wrist watch. It was 15 past 5. Earlier she used to leave school before 4.30 pm...then she had to pick up Rico from his school and get back home. But now...she doesn't have that job anymore. Rico's absence had removed the business out of Razia's life. She was left with endless time, not known how to spend.
Giving few more minutes to her aimless mind...Razia finally decided to get back home...at least she can spend some time...chatting with Bhabya...she thought. Razia was about to call for Auto...but her voice stumbled on her own name...uttered by somebody else.
'Razia...'
Voice seemed not so known to Razia. But when she turned to face the caller...she knew who it was.
'Hi...am Abdul.' Uttered Mirza's pal with a smile.
'I know...but you shouldn't have come here...and...I...don't have any time to talk to you...so...' Razia uttered with a frown and turned to leave. She was visibly annoyed with Abdul's arrival. Sight of each and everything related to Mirza only escalates the pain and agony of Razia...nothing else.
'Razia...just listen to me...for once...I won't take much time...I promise...' Abdul almost pleaded. But his words failed to draw any impact on Razia...it couldn't stop her walking away. Well...Abdul was surely not somebody whom one could be gotten rid of so easily. He followed Razia.
Within few seconds Razia realized...Abdul was following her. This made her hell outraged. She turned to confront Abdul...this time with a warning. 'If you don't stop following me right now...am surely gonna call police.'
'Razia...don't. Please...d d don't call police. I didn't mean to follow you...you just listen to me for once...ekbar sunlo...then I will be gone...just listen to what I have to say...please.' Abdul pleaded like never before. Only thing he had in mind was...he had to convince Razia somehow. He simply couldn't afford any luxury here. On the other hand...situation was no less difficult for razia either.
However tough Razia tries to look like...at heart she was still that merciful girl who feels for the hapless. Hence negating Abdul's plea was not that easy for her. Disobeying the mind, her heart finally agreed to listen to. 'Fine...be quick.'
'Razia...you must have known by now...that...Mirza has broken his arm?' Abdul paused here as he expected a confirmation from Razia. He got a reply...but not what he expected.
'I have nothing to do with that...anything else?' uttered Razia rudely.
'Aaa...yes. Actually for that reason he is not being able to sign...but there is an important deal due this week. So...' Abdul was still looking for the right word to approach Razia.
'So???' Razia asked impatiently.
'So...can you...can you...just...s...sign on his behalf?' Finally Abdul managed to express his purpose...but only to worsen the situation further.
'What!!! What did you just say!!! On his behalf!!! How could you even...' Razia was about to lash out at Abdul, but somehow controlled her words at the last moment...and continued in a much calmer tone. 'Anyways...aapse kuch kehna bhi bekar hai...please excuse me...I need to go somewhere.' With this Razia turned to leave.
Abdul decided to give it a last shot before calling this mission close. He walked ahead and blocked Razia's path, making her halt midway. 'Razia...gimme another chance...I can expla...' But Razia was surely not in a mood to give him another chance. Hence, even before he could finish, she began, 'how could you even ask for something like this? Whatever he has done to me...whatever he...' Razia felt a sharp pang in her heart as those cursed memories revisited her mind. She halted for few seconds to gather herself and started again...'there's nothing...not known to you...am I right?...Still you think...I can do anything...anything at all for him?'
'You will surely not do anything for him. This one deal...few more crores in bank...hardly gonna make any difference to him. But those bunch of poor fellows who worked day-night for this deal, gonna be the sole sufferer if it doesn't take place. They will be at the losing end, NOT MIRZA...arre...he doesn't even care whether such a deal happens or not.' Abdul poured both his mind and heart before Razia...in a bit disgusted tone. This time Razia couldn't ignore the sense in his words but that was not enough to make her forgo her suspicions. 'He has sent you with all these words...right?'
'No...he hasn't. Mirza believes in fighting his battle...on his own.' Now this was a truth even Razia couldn't reject. She paused for a moment to think, and then said, 'Gimme the paper. I will sign.'
Abdul forwarded her the file without any word. Razia rolled her eyes on the paper and signed. She returned the file to Abdul...and uttered, 'Can I go now?'
'I don't have the authority...to say yes or no...Maam.' Abdul replied with a faint smile. But his words only stiffened her face. She left the place without uttering a single sentence. Reason...perhaps not unknown to Abdul.
Job was done. Purpose was served. But after this encounter, one thing Abdul was damn sure about...Mirza will have to shell out his life to get this lady by his side.
'I should inform Mirza about this...dhakkan ko laga tha...I won't be able to convince Razia...hah...' Abdul took out his phone from pocket. But before he could press for speed dial, phone started ringing. It was mirza.
'Hey Mirza...I was just going to call you...' Abdul was about to deliver the news, but what Mirza told in the middle, was enough to knock him out of senses.
'How dare you follow my wife!!!...kamine!!!...yeh tha tere dil me?' asked Mirza faking a serious tone.
'Mirza!!! tujhe kaise...' Abdul got the shock of his life. He couldn't thought of any possible way, by which Mirza could have known all these. Sensing his pals' trepidation, Mirza came to the rescue.
'What did you think? Maine aise hi chhod rakhha hai use? Jaan hai meri...How can I let her live unprotected?' Here Mirza paused for some seconds, only to begin again in an authoritative voice, 'I have arranged 24x7 vigils on her. What she does, where she goes, whom she meets...I keep tab on each and everything. Nothing about her...is beyond my knowledge. Only thing is...she have no idea about this.'
'Mujhe bhi nehi bataya...' Uttered Abdul in a low voice. A faint existence of allegation could be sensed in his voice. mirza wasted no time to address this.
'Abhi bataya na...waise congo yaar...you did it. She signed.' Mirza tried to turn the topic.
'Yap...she did...chal abhi bye...see you in a while...' Abdul was not in a mood to continue the conversation right now. He was a bit upset at Mirza's hiding deed.
'Fine...by then.' With this Mirza ended the call.
This happened for first time in their 20 year long friendship that Mirza hid something from him...that too such a big thing. Abdul was visibly disheartened at his friend. But on the next moment, his mind seized holds of a fact...a fact that explained Mirza's action to him...a fact that he failed to ponder in time. 'When it's about Razia...Mirza is a stranger.'
MUMBAI
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'Somebody signed on his behalf...sign se naam toh pata nehi chal raha...but the note under it says...it's his wife.' The caller informed Nadarad over phone.
'Wife!!!' Nadarad couldn't hide her surprise, irrespective of her awareness that this would give away her state of mind to the caller. And why not! The very last thing she expected to be unearthed was Mirza's marriage. 'WIFE!!!' unconsciously the word came out of Nadarad's mouth again. She couldn't believe...the man...who doesn't even look back at the girl in morning, he spend the night with...has a wife!!! Nadarad's otherwise sharp mind was now spinning at a full speed...she never faced a fact this bitter before.
'How can a high profile man like Mirza get married secretly? If it's just a marriage, then what's the issue in making it public? Is his son belongs to this lady? What's going on in Mirza's mind?' numerous questions flooded Nadarad's mind in no time. She felt like banging her head on wall...only if this could make it a bit clear.
Immersed in her own thoughts, Nadarad almost forgot that she was still on phone with the guy. No sooner she felt the present, she ordered the caller then and there. 'Try to read the name...you will have to do it...quick...don't waste time.' Nadarad was growing more impatient every passing second.
'Maam...it's too tough...it's just initials...something...A...no no...G...no...I think...its R...YES...its R in the beginning...then A. Isse jyada toh nehi mil sakta is sign se.' the guy gave his best effort to please Nadarad...in the hope to get a good sum for this piece of info. May be not the way this guy wished, but Nadarad was pleased indeed. For her...'something' was always a better option than 'nothing'.
'Fine...that much is enough...you will surely get your reward for this.' NAdarad quickly wrapped up the call. She hardly had time to waste right now. For her this was a piece of straw, she thought, would take her to the shore.
Nadarad dialed a number on her phone.
'Hello...have you reached Kolkata?...Good...I think my man briefed you on plane?...very good. Now listen to what am saying. Well...you already know...you will have to look for Hassan's mother...she lives in Kolkata. It can be possible that Mirza met her on his visit to the city. You will have to find out that...You already have Hassan's photo. Now am giving you a name...its the name starts with RA. And if am not wrong in my assumption...then this is the person you are assigned to look for.'
PRECAP: 'hello Razia...hello...are you listening...hello...are you ok...have those guys reached you...hello...DAMNIT!!!'
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