SS2 FF Full Update (Parts I - IV) - Page 6

The rest of the team also looked at each other confused at what was Dipika telling.

Dipika: Tumhari is unregistered entry ki wajah se hume ye pata chala ki basement ki security bahut hi strong hai. Sochti hoon ki inki salary bada deni ki proposal karoon Commissioner saab se.They are doing a really great job. Kyun Vishal security acchhi hai naa, Special Squad me???? 😉

Dipika folded her hands and stood smiling. 😆

Vishal opened his mouth to answer back 😡 , but stopped himself. He gave a look around and saw the whole team there. He didn't want to make unnecessary scene now, as already one had happened. He just glared at everyone and left stomping his foot. 😵

The whole team saw him going, with Haseena following him.

Neha wondered… Kya ye ladki hamesha iske aage peeche hi goomthi rehti hai????? Pata nahi is Vishal ke tantrum se ye kaise bachti hogi?????????? She pitied the girl for the firs time and then thought "Oh.. My God main kise pity kar rahi hoon???? Ise??? By God!!" 😲

Just then Dipika voice made her come back to reality.

Dipika: Center table guys…….

Saying this she hurried off to Special Sqaud main office. 👏

The team looked at each other, grinned and followed her back to the office. Ajay and Boxer of course gave each other a knocking hands, 👍🏼 to celebrate their success in getting Vishal under control. Maybe, even it was for the time been. 🤗

The whole of the team quick marched into the office heading straight for the discussion table.

Dipika passed her cabin, noticed that Vishal was inside, sitting in his chair swinging it in frustration. 😡 Haseena was handing him a glass of water.

Passing her cabin Dipika ordered Boxer…..

Dipika: Boxer, Vishal se kehnaa ki case discussion chal raha hai and it is a must he is there. Unse keh dena ki Haseena ko na layein because we don't discuss case in front of people who do not belong to the Special Squad team, in any way. 😳

She said this all the while going and headed to the discussion table. The rest of the team followed her. Boxer made a face like 🤔 "Do I really have to face that weirdo??????" 😕

But Dipika was gone and he had no other choice. 😭 😆

Ajay saw this and grinning indicated "Come on go… go". And he left too.
😃
Boxer entered the cabin.

Boxer: Hrrmmm… 😕 (He cleared his throat)

Vishal stopped rotating his chair and stared at Boxer pointedly. 😳

Boxer: Er… Case discussion ka chal raha hai aur Dipika ne aapko discussion table pe bulaya hai.

Vishal kept staring at him, but Boxer didn't budge and stood his ground. 👍🏼 Then Vishal stood up and made way to the discussion table. Haseena tried following her boss, but Boxer stopped her before she could even reach the door……. He put out his hand abruptly in front of her…. 🤔

Boxer: (Sorry… Case discussion official hai, to aap nahi aa sakte. Orders hain.

Boxer said this in a soft tone, he didn't like to be harsh on Haseena… 😉 And he himself was surprised that he was behaving like this!!!!!!! 😳

Saying this he literally ran away from there 😆 , left a dumfounded Haseena in the cabin. She glared at him and didn't like one bit of this office. Also her boss was losing it all. She just went back to her boss's table and sat at a chair in front of the table. She waited…….. 😵

Vishal reached the discussion table to find all the team there. He sat directly opposite to the chair Dipika occupied at the head of the table. 😈 Boxer came there and due to habit started to go towards the wall to lean there, but instead backtracked to the chair he occupied earlier. 😆

Ajay watched him with amusement and then grinned 😃 indicating at Neha…. Neha smiled back at him……. 😊

Dipika looked at Vishal sternly and turned to Boxer.

Dipika: To Boxer basement ke confusion ke pehle 😉 (She had said this wantedly and of course Vishal didn't like this taunt 😡 ) main witness ke report ke bare me pooch rahi thi??????

Boxer: (Giving a look at Vishal started) Vo witness Sundar ki naukarani thi. Vo subah aake ghar ki saaf safaai karti thi. Phir chali jaati thi aur agle din subah hi aati thi. Aaj jab vo andar aayi to darwaaza khula tha. Use ajeeb laga. Kaha ki jab andar gayi to usne Sundar ko us halat me paaya. Usine phone kiya.

Everyone was looking at him intently grasping everyword.

Dipika: (Thinking) Sundar ki family??? ❓

Ajay: Maine pata lagaya pados se, Sundar akela rehta tha. HB bank me manager tha, uski ID mili ghar pe.

Dipika: Matlab uski family koi nahi hai? Bachelor hai kya? 😔

Before Ajay could answer, Vishal said….

Vishal: Nahi…. bachelor nahi hai. Uski ek biwi aur beti hai. Biwi se divorce ho gaya paanch saal pehle. Out of Mumbai ek firm me kaam karti hai. Uski beti Pune ki ek University me first year engineering kar rahi hai.

Dipika: Hmm… Tab to unko inform karna hoga. Neha Sundar ki ID se, uske bank ko contact karna, aur uske wife aur beti ko ye news de dena.

Neha nodded.

Vishal: To main bank jaake interrogation shuru karta hoon. 😳

Dipika: (Looking at him pirecely) Vishal main nahi hum. Ajay aur Boxer bhi tumhare saath aayenge. 😎

Vishal: (In a strong tone) Mujhe kisi ki madad ki zaroorat nahi hai. 😡

Dipika: Tum chaho ya naa chaho Ajay aur Boxer tumhare saath ayenge. 😈

Saying this she got up.

Dipika: Main autopsy shuru karti hoon…

Saying this she went off towards the room. The rest of the team gave each other looks which clearly said "This guy is impossible". The team dispersed to do their works. Only Ajay and Boxer stayed behind looking at each other with pathetic looks. 😭

Vishal kept sitting in the chair staring at the place Dipika occupied. Then he stood up forcefully which toppled the chair, he was sitting on. 😔 He hurried away without on glance at Ajay or Boxer. They started to follow him keeping up his pace. In the hurry too Boxer remembered to straighten the chair which Vishal had so gratefully toppled. 👍🏼



Evening the same day……….

Dipika had just finished the initial analysis of the body and came out of the room, when Neha came upto her…..

Neha: Dipika... Maine phone numbers liye aur uske family ko contact kiya. Uski biwi se baat nahi ho payi. Apne office ke kuch kaam ke se foreign gayi hai. Maine wahan ke manager se kahi hai, he said he will contact and get back to us.

Dipika: (Nodding) Aur uski beti?

Neha: Haan maine uske hostel contact kiya hai. Wahan ki warden se baat hui hai. Unhone kaha ki unki exams chal rahi hai, to permission maanga ki kya parson use bhejhein. Warden shock to thi, lekin unhone kaha ki ladki bahut acchhi padthi hai and uske future ka sawaal hai. Maine ok kaha hai. Mumbai aate hi hume contact karne ke liye kaha hai.

Dipika: Theek kiya. Uske father ab nahi rahe, lekin use apne future ka khayal rakhna to chahiye. 😕

Dipika looked at her watch. 😉
Dipika: Neha time bahut ho gayi hai. Main chalti hoon. (Just as she was about to go to her cabin, she turned back) Tum nahi chal rahi? 😕

Neha: (nodded) Hmm… Haan, chalna hai. Hospital jaana hai. Ajay ka intezaar kar rahi hoon.

Dipika: Shayad Ajay ko aane me der ho jayegi. Main bhi hospital hi jaa rahi hoon. Tum mere saath chal sakti ho. 😊

Neha looked at her. She knew.😳 She smiled. 😊 This was a routine now. Sharp at five non e would be found at the Special Squad office. Everyone said good night, only to be found to say hello outside Aryan's room in the hospital. 😉

Neha nodded her head and Dipika left to get her laptop. Neha also made her way to her table to get her purse.

Just as she came back, Dipika returned.

Dipika: Chalein?

Neha: Haan…

Dipika and Neha left together out of Special Squad office. 😳



"Dipika!!!!!!!!"

Dipika startled looked up to see who had called her.

Back to the present.

It was Neha .

She had come to see what Dipika was doing. She had found Dipika at the center table, staring at the head of the table. 😕 She thought not to disturb, 🤔 but it had been a long time. Also it was becoming late. It was already evening and this time they usually left for the hospital.

Dipika: Ha… Haan… Neha……

She stood up wiping her face with her hands, to just wade off the stiffness she felt. 😳

Neha: (Looking at the head and back at her, knowingly) Er… Kuch kaam hai???

Dipika: (Looked at her watch and got surprised) Paanch baj gaye!!!!!! 😲 Time kitni jaldi bhaag jaati hai. (Looking up at Neha) Kaam??? Nothing. Jab tak Vishal, Ajay, Boxer ke saath bank me hui ladayi ke bare me information nahi laate, there is nothing we can do. Waise unhe ab tak aa jaana chahiye tha. Where are they? ❓

Dipika was going to her cabin, to get her laptop. Neha had already taken her bag. She accompanied Dipika to her cabin. On the way she said……

Neha: Ajay ne phone kiya tha. Vo bank se seedha Sundar ke wife se milne gaye hain. Us college ke professor ne jo address diya tha, use phone karke Ajay ne li thi. To Ajay aur Boxer seedha wahan se hospital aa jayenge

Dipika: (She nodded) Acchha…… 😊

Dipika went inside her cabin. Neha waited outside. Dipika locked her laptop and came outside carrying her bag.

Neha: Mm… Er... To chalein?????

Dipika: Hunh… Chalo.

They left together to the hospital.
😳
Dipika was driving and Neha sat beside her in the front passenger seat. That day, because of some rally, there was heavy traffic on the roads, even at this time of the day, in the evening. They were being stopped at various signals for a long time. At one point due to rain flow, they had to take a detour. The normally one hour drive to the hospital took nearly more than two hours.

Dipika was concentrating on the drive. Neha couldn't help praying. Whenever they went to the hospital bad luck seemed to be there before them. She remembered that, the day before yesterday when they reached the hospital, they weren't ready for that news at all…. 😭



Day before yesterday…..

The day Vishal and his assistant had come to Special Squad… 🤢

Wednesday to be exact…….

Hospital….

Dipika and Neha reached the hospital and went directly towards Aryan's room. Just as they reached the room they saw the nurse coming out. She looked up at them and smiled. 😊

Nurse: (Looking at her watch) Sharp 6. Aap log to roz yahan isi waqt attendance de dete hain.

Dipika: (Smiling back) Aryan kaisa hai? 😊

The nurse's smile faded 😕 and she had an apologetic expression on her face. Dipika and Neha immediately got worried and looked at each other.

Dipika: Sister kya hua? Aryan theek to hai? 😭

She started to go into the ICU, but the sister's voice stopped her.

Nurse: Vo actually nothing serious. Patient ki halat thoda relapse ho gaya hai.

Dipika: (Not understanding) Sister kya???????

Nurse: Vo unko aaj dopahar se bukhaar chad gaya hai.

Dipika: (Shocked) Bukhaar??????? 😲 Lekin sister is halat me??????

Nurse: Doctor ne check kiya hai. Vo kai medications le rahein hain naa aur unke pet ki wound ke wajah se, this fever is normal. Nothing to worry. Kal tak theek hona chahiye.

Dipika: Lekin sister aapne hume inform nahi kiya. Humne emergency ke liye number diye the… 😒

Nurse: (Smiling re-assuringly) Nahi madam. Emergency tak ki koi baat hai hi nahi. Is tarah ke cases me aise fever normal hai. Bas patient bahut weak ho jayenge, is liye ek ghante me ek baar, on the hour unhe medication deni padti hai. Vo bhi drips se, kyunki vo coma me hain. Till the fever comes down. 😕

Dipika and Neha didn't tell anything for a long time. They wondered, how much Aryan had to sustain till he becomes perfectly alright.

Dipika: Sister kya hum use dekh sakte hain????

Nurse: Of course. Isme koi problem nahi.

She smiled at Dipika and went to perform her duties. When she passed her she gave a slight tap on her shoulders and left.
😳

Dipika and Neha entered the ICU.

The sight of Aryan squeezed their hearts. 😭 He was looking so weak. In this one week he had grown some beard and moustache giving him a more patiently look.

Neha approached him and tenderly placed a hand over his forehead to check his fever. She was shocked. 😲

Neha: Dipika Aryan ka badan to tap raha hai.

Dipika, who was standing on the other side of the bed, also placed her hand on his forehead. Immediately her face contracted. 😔 Neha was right. Aryan's body was literally burning. Must be nearly 100 degrees.

Dipika: Sister ne kaha naa Neha ki ye medication ke douraan hoga. I… guess… ki its nothing to worry. 😕

Neha looked up at Dipika. Dipika had said "It may be nothing to worry", but her voice didn't show the conformance as her words.

Just then the nurse came back with a bowl of water and some gauze. She was also carrying a small can sort of thing. Obviously ice.

She placed the bowl in the near by table and dipped the gauze sort of small towel in water. Before she could place it on Aryan's forehead, Dipika stopped her.

Dipika: Sister yahan dijiye main karti hoon. 😳

Dipika extended her hand. The nurse looked at her surprised. Then looking at Aryan she seemed to understand and gave the gauze strip to Dipika. Dipika took it smiling and kept it on Aryan's forehead. ❤️

The nurse checked Aryan's pulse, drips and left the room.

Neha sat at the other side of Aryan's bed and looked on at what was going on. She really felt sad for Aryan. More she felt that Dipika's feelings for Aryan was getting stonger. 😳 She looked over at Dipika.

With full concern and love, to say, Dipika was replacing the gauze on Aryan's forehead. 😍

Neha thought she would have to talk to Dipika. With hesitation she called out….

Neha: Dipika…. 🤔

Dipika looked up at Neha. She smiled feebly at her call.... 😊

Dipika: Kya hai Neha???

Asking this she replaced the gauze on Aryan's forehead. 😳 She took some ice from the can and out them in the bowl. The water was ice cold, but the gauze dried up very fast. Such was Aryan's fever. 😭

Neha: I.. vo... 😕

Dipika looked surprised!!!!!!! 🤔 The Neha she knew never hesitated to talk out or voice out her thoughts. But now, she seemed to hesitate to ask her something. Maybe it was her personal thing or something??????? But she waited, not wanting to disturb her thoughts......

Neha saw Dipika looking at her waiting to talk. She took a deep breath and started...

Neha: Dipika yaad hai??? Jab hum Nasik me us ward boys ke room me the, jab Ajay aur Boxer us criminal ko pakadne gay the????

Dipika nodded.

Neha: Tum mujhse se kuch poochna chahti thi? Lekin Ajay aur Boxer ke wapas aane se we couldn't talk. Also after that we became very busy with our work, we didn't get time to talk properly....

Dipika was startled. 😲 Neha remembered. Actually what she wanted to talk was important for her... She did want to discuss that matter with someone. 😕

Neha: (Contiuing) Lekin tumhari aawaaz se zaroor laga ki it was important, really important for you.

Dipika looked at her. She was amused that Neha at such a young age had such understanding... She looked at Aryan and then at Neha.... 😊

Dipika: Haan Neha, mujhe yaad hai and yes it is important to me. And I think I would, feel better if I had someone to talk to about it.

Neha:(Encouragingly) To please, tum mujhse baat kar sakti ho.

Dipika smiled at Neha. 😳 She started replacing Aryan's gauzse. Stood up and went to the window.

The scene outside was mesmerising. 😍 The scene outside was mesmerising. The window overlooked the hospital garden. The sun was setting and casting a beautiful glow over the city. The hospital lights were swtiched on in the garden which reflected off the fountain water of the gardens. 😳

Dipika watching the ripples of the water, started. Neha was still seated at Aryan's side. 😊
Dipika: Neha tumhe yaad hai, tumne ek baar kaha tha ki I may have fallen for Aryan. That I… I love him.

When she said this, involuntarily she blushed 😳 and smiled.

Neha too smiled at that incident. When she had said it, it was just an instance that had happened. But now she was sure about what she had said. 👍🏼

Dipika: Shayad… (Stopping herself) Nahi… Yakeen se.... Tumne theek hi kaha tha. I do love him.☺️

She turned around to look at Neha. Neha smiled broadly and came up to Dipika. 😃

Neha: Dipika that's….. that's great. I am so happy for you two. [:D/]

She gave a bear hug 🤗 to Dipika which Dipika gladly accepted. At Neha's back she stole a glance at her love.

Neha extracted herself from Dipika and smiled at her still catching Dipika's arms. 😛

Neha was happy for her as well as she was happy for Aryan too. Dipika also was smiling, but the next instant……

Dipika: (Her smile fading) Wait…. Wait…. Neha…. Aryan????

Neha took off her hands from Dipika's arms…..

Neha: (Confused, she looked at Aryan and back at Dipika) Aryan ka kyaa... Dipika???? 😕

Dipika: (Smiling wanly) Neha tumhe pata hai Aryan ke past ke baare me. Nihirika ke baad Aryan ne jaise zindagi ko, Special Squad ke liye arpit kar diya. Aur to aur…. Mujhe pata hai ki main jab pehli baar Special Squad aayi thi tab Shaina was very aggressive. Uska reason professional to nahi tha….. ???

Dipika left it at that, letting Neha complete the question for herself. She knew Neha knew as well as she did, that Shai was in love with Aryan.

Neha was astound. 😲 How did she know that Shai's behaviour was personal???? Then she thought that Shai's behaviour was never different in front of everyone. Anyone would have spotted it easily. 🤔

Neha: (Taking a deep breath) Ha… haan. Shai loved Aryan. 😕

Dipika: (Smiling knowingly) Aur Aryan????? 😳

Neha stood rooted to the spot. She didn't know how to answer this question.

Neha was thinking….. 😵 Aryan did love Shai. Here Dipika loved Aryan. So what could she say???? Shai had decided to lead her life for her son. Aryan too is back at the same place as he was before, needing a support in his life.

Dipika just smiled at her shocked look and went back to Aryan, to change his gauze.

Neha came up to the bed slowly and sat down. She looked at Aryan and then again at Dipika. She saw that Dipika was looking at her only. She was waiting for an answer.

Neha: (Not able to meet her eyes, she looked down and answered) Aryan too.

Dipika smiled again. 😊 She knew he did. But he wanted Neha to get all the facts clear and understand her confusion.

Dipika: (She started again) Bahut saalon ke baad Aryan ne kisi ladki ke baare me pehli baar socha hai. 'Apni' (Stresing on it) zindagi ke bare me socha hai. Shaina surely must have left a strong mark behind. Ab Aryan ke dil me kya hai??? Ye….

Neha: (Looking up suddenly interrupted Dipika) Lekin Dipika Shai has left for her good. Vo kisi ke liye bhi apni zindagi badalti nahi hai. She decided for her son's happiness, welfare and is happy about it. 😊

Dipika: (Softly in a caressing tone) Mujhe pata hai Neha ki ek bete ke liye ek maa ka dard. Shaina must really have missed her son with the job she had in Special Squad. I know how she would have felt. Ek beti ko paalnaa itnaa aasaan nahi hai. 😲

Dipika had said these lines with sadness in her voice. Her voice suggested she really sensed the pain Shai felt for her son.

Neha looked at Dipika with confusion. Beti????????? But!?!?!?!?!?! 😕

Neha: (Suspiciously) Dipika!?!?!?!?!

Dipika who was still continuing in a lost tone, stopped abruptly. She didn't look at Neha directly. She chided herself, she was not herself nowadays

Dipika: Er… (Clearing her throat) Mera matlab… Vo… Beta ho yaa beti, jo bhi ho, akele maa aur baap ka pyaar dena, use paal poskar bada karna mushkil to hai hi, lekin naa mumkin nahi. 😳

She raised her eyebrows and Neha nodded off…

Neha: Ha… haan 😔

Neha still wasn't convinced with Dipika's statements. Why did she feel Dipika was hiding something!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🤔

Neha: (Continuing) Dipika Shaina is gone from Aryan's life. 😔

Dipika: (Giving a maybe reaction) Neha Shaina physically Aryan se door hai, right. Lekin tum yakeen se keh sakti ho ki Aryan ne Shaina ko bhulaa diya hai????❓

Neha knew that she would have to face this type of questions, the moment she realized Dipika wanted to talk to her about Aryan and herself. Dipika was right. But she felt that she had to do all she could for her two colleagues, or more for her friends.

Neha: (Trying to put in her point) Lekin vo bekaar ki intezaar hogi… Shai wapas aane waali nahi hai.

Dipika: (Smiling at her innocense) Neha… Aryan agar apni zindagi sudaarna chahta hai to vo Shai ko kaheen se bhi doondh ke laa dega. Hai naa??? 🤓

Neha: Lekin Shai is strong about her decision. (Then softening her voice) Haan ye baat hai ki she misses Aryan. But Shai is settled and in no way having even a thought to come back to India……

Neha stopped in mid-sentence, seeing the suspicious look Dipika gave her. She bit her lips. She knew this time she was the one who had said too much. 😵

Dipika was confused. She thought maybe Neha knew more than what she said.

Dipika: Neha tum kuch chupa……??????????? 🤔

Neha looked at Dipika. She knew she was caught. She kept looking at Aryan, then Dipika and decided to tell her the truth.

Neha: Dipika recently meri baat Shain se hui thi.

Dipika was surprised and thought. Shaina!!!!!!! Lekin kab, kaise???????? 😕

Neha: (Continued) Aryan ka news jab paper aur TV me aaya, uske kuch hi ghanton baad mujhe Shaina ne phone kiya. London se….

Dipika: (Shocked) London?????????? 😲

Neha: (Nodding) Haan London. Vo…. Shai ne Aryan ke baare me poochne ke liye phone kiya tha. Maine use yahaan ki haalat sab batayi. Tab Shaina ne kaha, ki uske University me uski job performance acchhi hone ke karan, London ke unke sister university me use promote karke bhejh diya hai.

Dipika: Uska beta… Sunny?

Neha: Vo bhi. Shaina ne Sunny aur apne parents ko bhi London leke chali gayi. Sunny ki padayi waheen chal rahi hai. Shaina ne kaha ki wah Pune, Aryan se door rehne ke liye hi gayi thi. Ab London seemed a best choice for her to focus her attention on Sunny and her parents. She stills phones me to ask about Aryan. Lekin vo yahan aa nahi sakti. Usne us University se ek saal ke liye bond sign kiya hai jiski wajah se she cannot come here to India. Aur vo ab bhi Sunny ko hi priority deti hai.

Dipika took in all the news Neha gave her. Should she feel happy or sad?????? 🤔

Dipika kept thinking as she replaced fresh gauze on Aryan's forehead. 🤔 The gauze seemed to be drying like in hot sun. Within minutes it became crisp and dry. Aryan's fever was very high, showing no signs of decreasing. 😕

Maybe she wasn't justifying, but she was happy 😊 to know about Shaina's strong decision. All her doubts, fear had cleared. But still the fact remained about Aryan's decision.

Neha: (With a fresh enthusiasm in her voice) Dipika ab to tum clear ho naa, of your doubts???????????? 👍🏼

Dipika: (With a sigh) Neha ab bhi Aryan ki baat hai. Aryan kya sochta hai….. ❓

Neha: (Trying her best to convince Dipika) Dipika please… Aryan ko apni zindagi kabhi naa kabhi sudhaarni hogi. He can't go on like this. We have always wanted him to settle in his life. Lekin uske family tragedy ki wajah se wah kisi ke bhi baare me nahi sochta tha. Hum sab uske ke liye pareshaan hi the. Tab hum nahi jaante the ki use kaise sambhaalein. But now, you are there. You like him, (with a soft passion in her voice) love him. You two would make a great pair. No, you too will surely, definitely make a great pair. You 'are' (Stressing on the word) made for each other. You understand each other also well.☺️

Dipika smiled at the understanding part. 😳

Understanding!!!!!!!!! They did understand each other well… It was true. The fights they had had on cases were also due to that fact that they understood each other and knew how one would behave in a situation. So either Dipika would be strict at those times or Aryan would hide something from her.😉

Also lately they seemed to understand each others mind very well, the incidents which proved this were many. Aryan had started to become calm again with her, his aggressiveness had disappeared. To say it more clearly, he had started to be free about his thoughts to her. Also from her part she had started to give in to Aryan's way of investigation, although she still was very strong about following rules. 👏

Dipika: (Blushing a bit 😳 ) Thank you Neha. Thank you for being supportive.… Lekin ab Aryan ke man ki baaat hai…….

Neha: (Immediately objecting) He will agree. He likes you.

Dipika looked at her surprised.

Neha: (Continuing) Yes he does. Mujhe pata hai. Jitnaa main Aryan ko jaanti hoon, ussse main ye assure karke keh sakti hoon.

Dipika: (Blushed, agreed) Aryan likes me Neha. Lekin sirf "like" se zindagi nahi bita sakte. Pyaar aur bharosa bhi honi chahiye. To… 😵

Neha: Aryan tum par poora bharosa karta hai aur (adjusting her specs with a twinkle in her eyes) pyaar bhi. ❤️ I know it. Lekin ye hai ki vo keh nahi raha. Vo hai hi aisa, job hi sochta hai kuch nahi kehta…. Lekin agar tum dono khul ke baat kare, to I know he will….

Dipika didn't respond anything. But she smiled at Neha reassuringly. 😊

Looking back at Aryan she wished that whatever Neha had said would, no should become true. If it did she would be the luckiest and the happiest person in the world.⭐️

She knew she would, but one thing bothered her very much. 😕 She didn't know how she would handle that matter, even if Aryan loved her and confessed it to her... But she postponed the matter for later consideration.
😳

Present……..

Neha suddenly felt a jerk. Startled she looked around. The car was parked in a parking lot. They had reached the hospital.

Dipika: (Removing her seat belt) Oof… ye Mumbai ki traffic. 😵Koi bhi kaheen bhi jaldi me jaa nahi sakta. It is getting horrible day by day.

Dipika got down and Neha followed suit. Together they entered the hospital and found that Ajay and Boxer had already reached there. They were just waiting by the lift. Aryan's room was in the third floor.

The lift had arrived and Ajay,Boxer were about to enter it, when they saw Neha and Dipika enter the hospital. They were surprised. 😲They had assumed that both of them would already be in Aryan's room. Boxer held a hand on the lift doors waiting for them.

Neha and Dipika reached them, smiled 😊and entered the lift. Ajay and Boxer followed them and the lift ascended to the third floor. Four hearts were eager to see Aryan. 😕To know how he was. Even if the doctor said "No improvement" they felt happy. It was much better than "I am sorry. His state is bad or has worsened"………

Ajay: Neha… Itni late?????? Humne socha ki aap log Aryan ke saath honge.

Neha: Ajay tum to Mumbai ki traffice ko jaante ho. Usme phans gaye the. Aur to aur ek detour bhi lena pada, kuch road repairs ke karan.

Ajay nodded off the answer, mimicking the state a driver would be in the traffic…. Mopping his forehead as if sweating, honking the horn……😆

The other three laughed at his gimmicks and Neha had to budge him to stop his act.😡

Dipika: (To no one in particular) Investigation ho gayi???????

Boxer: Haan… Vo bank me…

But Dipika interrupted him.

Dipika: Details office ke baahar nahi Boxer. Hum kal Special Squad me hi baat karenge.👍🏼

Boxer looked at Ajay and kept mum. Ajay indicated to him, "This is Dipika Gosh"... 😉And Boxer just shrugged off grinning.😃

The lift opened and they filed out, heading for Aryan's room.

Dipika: (Walking in the front) Waise Vishal kahan hai????

Ajay: Vo investigation ke baad usne kaha ki ab seedha ghar jaa raha hai. Kal office me hi milenge.

Dipika stopped short. She turned around to look at Ajay shocked.

Dipika: Ghar chala gaya??????? 😲 Lekin uski assistant Haseena uske liye office me intezaar kar rahi hai. Vo to apni personal posh car me hi investigation ke liye bhi jaata hai. Vo ghar kaise jayegi????

Hearing this Ajay gave sheephish smile, looked at Boxer and made an expression which clearly said "Ah... ha… Ab aayega mazaa"… 😃

Boxer seeing Ajay's expression immediately knew what he was going to do and tried to shut him up….. But in vain…. 😉

Boxer: (Shushing up Ajay) Maamu…. 🤔

Boxer was trying to interrupt Ajay, but Ajay continued with a mysterious smile. 😉

Ajay: Hume nahi pata. (Grinning said.) Lekin Boxer bhai ne office phone karke use bataya ki Vishal ghar jaa raha hai. So she may as well leave. (Boxer was actually trying to stop him speak, but Ajay fending off his hand spoke out with a force) Usne poocha bhi ki agar use ghar drop ki help chaiye to vo aa sakta hai. (He nudged Boxer in the ribs, which Boxer shoved off) 😎

Dipika and Neha looked at Boxer surprised. Boxer was really very concerning. They noticed that his ears had turned a bright pink. Dipika and Neha smiled at each other. 😊

Neha looked at him with a different thought, mischievious thought. 😆 She decided to get him speak sometime soon, pull his legs maybe. 🤣 She had sensed from the previous day, especially after that incident, that something was cooking inside Boxer. ❤️

Boxer had suddenly taken interest in the tiled walls and carpeted floors of the hospital corridor, purposefully avoidinig the other eyes. 😉

Ajay: (Continuing) Boxer ne kaha ki Haseena ne kaha ki, she is used to this attitude of her boss. Vo hamesha wait karti hai aur agar ek time tak vo nahi aata hai to vo chali jaati hai. To usne kaha ki vo khud chali jayegi.

Neha: (frustrated) What sort of a guy is he????? Apni assistant ka khayaal tak nahi rakta…. 😡

Dipika: Neha sab Aryan ki tarah thode hote hain. 😳

Saying this she smiled and looked at Neha, like "Am I right??"…. 😊

Neha smiled and nodded happily. 😛 Ajay and Boxer looked with pride at each other. Aryan was definitely very caring about his colleagues. He always took care that people left safely for their houses or had the proper arrangement for transport. ⭐️

Dipika indicated "Let's go" and they all resumed their walk to Aryan's room, which was on the right side of the lift. One of the center rooms.
😊

All four of them reached Aryan's room and stopped short…….. 😎

They were surprised to see Shotgun there. And he was holding the door to Aryan's room open. They noticed a woman coming out of it….

Dipika: (Bengali) Shotgun tum yahan??? 😳

Shotgun: (Bengali) Haan… Aryan ko dekhne aaya tha. Maine socha ki tum log yahan honge, lekin???????

The lady came outside and stood beside Shotgun……..

Dipika: (Bengali) Traffic aur kya…..

Shotgun nodded. He smiled and put an arm around the lady who had come outside

Shotgun: (Bengali) Dipika ye meri maa…. (To his mom) Maa.. ye…. 👏

Shotgun's Mom: Dipika Gosh… hai naa????? 😛

She said smiling…. Dipika nodded and went forward touched her feet…. ⭐️

Shotgun's Mom: (Blessing her, in Bengali) Jeeti raho. Tum Kolkata se ho beta?

Dipika: (Bengali) Haan maaji… Kolkata native hai, lekin maa aur papa apne shaadi ke baad hi Mumbai aa gaye…. 😊

Shotgun: (In Hindi) Maa ye… (Indicating Neha)….

Shotgun's Mom: Neha…. Vo Ajay aur vo Abbas nahi nahi Boxer… Theek hai naa?

Shotgun laughed and nodded… 😆 The others too laughed at this…..

Boxer grinned and folded his hands in pranaam… Shotgun's mom reciprocated the namaskaar… 😛

Neha came forward to take her blessings… As she passed Ajay and hit him hard to indicate that he was to come too…. Ajay looked confused and then realizing came forward for blessings….

Both at the same time touched Shotgun's mom's feet… His mom smiling at them, with a twinkle in her eyes blessed……. 😉

Shotgun' Mom: Jaldi shaadi kar lo tum dono…😲 😳

Neha and Ajay got up and were stunned at this blessing… 👍🏼 Of course Neha blushed away☺️ and Ajay stood there looking cheekily, not knowing how to blush…..😆

Looked like Shotgun's mom knew everything about them… True!!!!!! Shotgun never hid anything from her…… ⭐️

Shotgun's Mom: Subrato ne tum sab ke bare me bahut kuch kaha hai… Phikar mat karo Aryan bilkul theek ho jayegaa… Kaali maa hai naa!!!!

Everyone smiled… 👍🏼 They now knew Aryan would be fit and fine soon… An elderly person had blessed him now!!!!

Shotgun: Jab maa ne Aryan ke baare me suna, vo hospital aana chahti thi. Lekin kaam ke wajah se main unhe laa nahi saka. Aaj hi time mila… 😳

Dipika smiled and the others nodded….. 😊

Just then someone opened the door again and came out. They again received a surprise. 😲 It was Zubin and his eyes were glistening with tears.

Ajay: Are Zubin tum yahan??????

He went over to him in the idea of making some fun. But on seeing his face tear stricken he became considerate.

Zubin: (Wiping his eyes like a kid 😳 )Yaar Aryan aisa hai…. Kabhi bhi nahi socha ki hum Aryan ko aisa dekhenge….

Dipika and the others knew how he felt. They felt very sad.

Ajay deciding to cheer Zubin……

Ajay: Are Zubin, Aryan kabhi rest leta hai kya????? 😕

Zubin shook his head. Ajay put a hand over his shoulders and led him away, saying…..

Ajay: Haan to isi bahaane Aryan thoda aaraam to kar raha hai….. Dekho….

Ajay's voice faded away. 😛

Shotgun: To main chalta hoon. Bahut der ho gayi. Aur Zubin ko bhi ghar drop karna hai. Vo mere saath hi aaya tha. Maa chalein???? ❓

Shotgun's mom nodded…..

Shotgun's Mom: Good night….

Dipika: Good night aunty…

Neha: Good night aunty….

Shotgun's mom smiled at them and Shotgun started to lead her away, his arms still around her shoulder.

Shotgun: (To Dipika) Good night (To Neha) Good night… bye. 😊

Dipika nodded….

Shotgun and his mom left. Boxer also went with Shotgun till the lift, where Ajay and Zubin were standing.

Zubin: Ajay tum hameshaa mere peeche kyun pade ho?????? 😃

Zubin asked in a mock frustration tone. Before Ajay could answer back wittingly 😉 , Boxer interrupted him……..

Boxer: Maamu….. (Tapping his shoulders) 😳

He indicated with his hands towards Aryan's room. Ajay looked behind and saw that Dipika and Neha were waiting for their return……. Ajay nodded.

Ajay: (To Zubin) Ab main tere peeche nahi padoonga. Tu jaa….. 😉

Ajay placed a hand on Zubin's back and made an act of pushing him into the lift. 😉 Zubin made a face and entered the lift, which Shotgun had pressed for. Shotgun's mom gave a smile. Ajay and Boxer gave a namaskaar to her. They both waved a short bye and Ajay, Boxer waved back. 😊

Seeing Dipika and Neah go, they both hurried back to Aryan's room. 😕

Dipika and Neha had already entered the room.
Neha was thinking…. 🤔

Must be a personal call….. Personal?????? Only then did Neha realize that she knew nothing of Dipika's family, her life or anything personal about her…. 😵 They had never discussed it….. She knew her madam was par marriage age, so what about her life??? 😕

Neha was still puzzling over this when Boxer's voice snapped her to the present……

Boxer looking at the door Dipika had disappeared through addressed Ajay…..

Boxer: Maamu, Dipika me aaj kal bahut chaaaaaannnnnnnggggges nazar aa rahe hain….. 😉

He said this with raised eyebrows….

Ajay: (Grinning) Haaan… Aunty aaj kal Special Squad ka aur uske chief officer ka bahoooouuut hi khayaal rakhti hai……☺️

Boxer grinned at his comment……😃

Boxer: Haan….. (Coming to other side near Ajay) Lekin usne kabhi kisi se aisi baat nahi ki jaise vo Vishal se karti hai…… Uska kya?????

Before Ajay could answer him, Neha said…..

Neha: (Sittng down on the sofa on the right side of the Aryan's bed) Boxer Dipika badal to gayi hai……. Lekin wah Vishal bhi kuch kum nahi hai…. (Making a face) He is oh so irritating… 😡 Hamesha kuch naa kuch bahaana banata hai hume neecha dikhaane kaa…. Aur Aryan?? Hamesha jahaan bhi ho sake Aryan ko beech me ghaseet tha hai……

Ajay: (Seating himself beside Neha) Haan yaar…. By God ki kasam!!!!!!!!!! 😲 Uski kya problem hai???? (Making a gesture of irritation with his hands) Always kuch problem khadi kar deta hai…. 😈

Boxer: (Standing near Aryan's bed, wondered) Ajeeb behaviour hai uskaa!!!! Lekin maine Dipika ko kabhi itnaa gussa hote hue nahi dekha!!!!!!! Kal to usne gazab kar di……. 👏

Neha: (In a pitiful tone 😳 ) Boxer Dipika stressed out hai…. Ab jab Aryan nahi hai to Special Squad ki saari zimmedaari uski hai….

Ajay: Neha isme koun si nayi baat hai… Jab Aryan tha tab bhi vo Special Squad ki chief thi… To saari zimmedaari uski thi……. Ab bhi Special Squad ki chief hai, saari zimmedaari uski hai……

Neha: (Denying him) Ajay… Tum samajh nahi rahe ho… Jab Ayran office me tha Dipika hi Chief thi, lekin office ki responsibilities, case ke hearings sab kuch Aryan hi to karta tha…. 👍🏼 Dipika ne kabhi bhi Aryan se uske Special Squad ke chief hone ka haq nahi cheena….. Sirf cases par zyaada rules ko stress karti thi, karti hai…… She was officially yes the Chief, but never used that post unnecessarily…… 👏

Eventhough they didn't really get it at first, Boxer and Ajay had to agree that Neha had a point there….. ⭐️ She was telling the truth….. Dipika used her power as a chief only on cases and not personally……
😳

The night duty, regular nurse was seated there. Seeing them she came to them.

Nurse: Good evening. Or should I say good night (Looking at her watch) 😉

Dipika: (Smiling) 😊 Good evening. Bahut traffic ho gayi thi. Bahut hi kharaab hota jaa raha hai aaj kal.

Just as Neha was wishing her, Ajay and Boxer entered. They also wished her, which the nurse recipracated.

Nurse: Pata hai. Mumbai jo hai. Kisme badouti ho rahi hai ya nahi, is traffic me to badouti ho rahi hai.

All four of them gave a feeble laughter at the nurse's talk. 😃

Dipika: Hope ki hum der se nahi aa gaye. Visiting hours…….

Nurse: No no…. 👍🏼 Ab to time hai. 9 O' clock tak time he aap ke paas. Ab to sirf sade saath baje hain. Waise bhi doctor ne kaha ki aap chaaron me se agar, koi bhi aaye to kisi bhi waqt patient ko dekhne ki anumati hai.

Dipika: Thank you……

The nurse went to check on Aryan's pulse, his drips and left the room nodding at them.

Ajay and Boxer went over to Aryan's bed……

Boxer touching Aryan's hand said softly…..

Boxer: Aryan… Jaldi theek hoja yaar… Tumhare bina office suna suna hai. 😕

Dipika and Neha looked at each other….. 😔

Ajay: (Trying to control the tears which had formed in his eyes) Are Boxer.. Aryan to theek hoga hi aur jaldi bhi…. Vo to crime solve kiye bina nahi reh sakta… We will make sure he is back to form soon….. (Looking at Aryan) Dekhnaa Aryan agar tu jaldi nahi uthaa naa, to… to… hum… tumse kabhi baat nahi karne waale hain. 😭

Both Dipika and Neha were surprised 😲 at this side of the guys. They had always been strong and never been emotional, but here, now…… 😳

Neha went over to console Ajay……

Neha: (Placing a hand on his shoulder, she said softly) Ajay…..😕

Ajay placed his hands on hers and gave a feeble smile and a wink, to just say he was okay. 😊

Just then Dipika's phone buzzed. 🤔 Involuntarily the others turned to look. Dipik looked at the number and immediately her face expression changed……☺️

She mumbled an excuse and went outside to attend the call…. 🤓

Ajay and Boxer turned back to Aryan, but Neha stood seeing the place which Dipika had occupied a while ago….. 🤔

Neha was not a perfectionist and a computer wiz for nothing…… 👏 She noticed very minute details also. So obviously she didn't fail to notice that when the call had come, Dipika's face was one of filled with enthusiasm, a delight… [:D/] But she was hiding that delight…. Whose call could have made Dipika so very happy about??? ❓ 😉

Boxer: (Nodding reluctantly) Vo to hai!!!!!!!!!

Neha: (Continuing) To ab case ke hearing sab Dipika hi handle karti hai…. Humare kayi cases ke hearing in do hafton me scheduled hain…. Is week ko hi le lo…. Kal do hearing the aur kal do aur hearing ke liye Dipika ko jaana hai aur to aur ab is Vishal ke tantrums….. 😡

Boxer: Haan…. Case ke hearing frustrate to kar dete hain!!!!!!!!!! 😕 Ye opposite lawyers humare sabhi evidence se koi naa koi galti dhoondh hi nikaalne ki badi koshish hain….. Agar Aryan hota hai to vo unse pakki baat kar deta hai aur vo log jaldi chup bait jaate hain…. Unhe pata hai Aryan ke baare me, uske gusse ke baare me…. Bahar aake unka kya haal hoga…… 😈

Boxer imitated, catching his throat and putting his tongue out. Then he burst out laughing. Neha and Ajay also laughed a little, knowing too well the state of the poor lawyers who would try to weaken the case. They made it sure not to much find fault in the proofs, Aryan would literally skin them alive outside the court. 😆 This fact which Dipika didn't know, 😉 else Aryan would have by now would have had to listen to big lectures each time he leaves for the hearing. 😃

But now Dipika was handling the cases… And memsaheb to doosre officers ya responsible position ke persons, se oonchi aawaaz me baat tak nahi karegi…….

Boxer: (Was continuing) Lekin Dipika court me oonchi aawaaz me baat tak nahi karti…. Haan lekin case accchhi tarah ladti hai….. Koi lawyer Special Squad ke evidences yaa reports se koi galti dhoondke nikaale, to unke questions ke aisi answer deti hai ki, unki bolti band ho jaati hai…… Kal ka vo family murder ke case me aisa hi to hua tha….. 👍🏼

Ajay: Haan Boxer, jab tumne kaha to yakeen nahi hua…. 😲

Neha: Ajay, Boxer bhoolo mat ki Dipika Special Squad ki officer hai aur ek true, dedicated police officer that too……. Vo apne job me perfection dekhti hai……. ⭐️

Ajay: (Nodding) Lekin Neha, humare aane se pehle, kal hua kya tha?????? Jab hum aye tab hi vo Vishal 'sir' gusse me tha………………

Neha: Vishal ki to aadat si pad gayi hai kuch naa kuch hungaama khada karne ki… Kal bhi aisa hi kuch hua tha……

Then Neha described what had happened yesterday morning, which had made Dipika really mad….😡
Neha describes yesterday's happenings…. The second day of Vishal's entry…….

Neha entered the office and went to her table… The case was on hand and Dipika had asked for the full details they had upto now… She turned to see whether Dipika had come… But was shocked!!!!!! Dipika was not there… 😔

She stood looking at the cabin confused as to why Dipika hadn't come till now…. Then she chided herself…

Of course!!!! It was hearing day today….. Dipika had said yesterday to her that Special Squad's two cases hearings were sheduled for today…. Also she only had prepared the reports for Dipika when they had come back from Nasik… 😊

At this realization she was about to turn back to get to her work, when a tall frame blocked her side… Stumbling a bit, frustrated, she stepped back and looked who it was…… 😡

Of course Vishal the Great was standing there…. 🤔

She looked at him with pure disgust in her eyes, but remained calm…. Behind him she noticed Zubin and Shotgun enter the office…. Seeing Vishal near Neha they immediately came there……

Vishal: (Side viewing the cabin, he taunted) Lagta hai aapke madam abhi tak aye nahi… Samay ke paaaaapand(dragging the part) nahi hain… Tsk... Tsk… 😎

He grinned saying this. 😃

Neha stared at him hard. She decided she wasn't going to give in to his tantrums… No way!!!!!!

Neha: (With a superior look and voice) Dipika jitnaa rules ki papand ussse se kuch aur hi zyada samay ki papand hai… A total perfectionist…. Lekin aap kya jaane uske bare me. We are proud to have her as our Chief….. 👍🏼

Ajay and Shotgun came there in time to hear her saying the last sentence…. They were stunned for a minute at what she was saying, but looked at each other and composed themselves….

Vishal gave a high pitched laugh and said very sarcastically……

Vishal: Ho Proooooooud??????? (Stretching the word too much) Come again…!! Aapki bhaasha me proud hone ka matlab hai, ki (Ticking the list off his fingers) unki baat naa manana, unse vital information chupana, unse by pass karke investigations karna, unse jhagada karna… Wagaira wagaira!!!!!!!! (Spreading out his hands) I am surprised ki itne sab insults ke baad bhi Dipika is office me ab tak hai. She should have quit long ago… But that poor lady she just tries to be a part of you all. 😕 (Some staffs around stood still listening to Vishal's words) Tries to save that Aryan from getting suspended or transferred from Special Squad, wants 'your' (Stressing here) Special Squad to have a long life. Bharosa naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai!!!!!! Aur aap sab?????? (Contracting his eyes, and looking at Neha pointedly) 😈 Aryan ke saath milke ussse hamesha sab kuch chupate hain and you say you are proud!!!!! Aise dikhaate hain apne pride ko??????? Full crap… It's a damn big crap!!!!!!!! 😡

Saying this he went off angrily towards his cabin……. 😡

All the three stood there dumbstruck!!!!!!! 😵

How true were Vishal's words…… 😔

Each word Vishal said hammered into Neha, Ajay and Shotgun's hearts…. 😕 How much ever harsh Vishal might have been, but what he said was true , to the core…. They had sort of neglected Dipika…. But not intentionally, Never. 😒 They all liked her as much as she did. It was just that they just wanted to solve cases Aryan's way… Dipika's way was a tough one to follow…. Binding with rules!!! But Dipika had never shown that she was disappointed at been neglected or anything…

Hamesha to uske aur Aryan ke beech hi takkar hoti thi, lekin aakhir me un dono me sula ho jaati thi!!!!!!! But then?????? The three didn't understand……….. 😕

Shotgun saw the staffs and ordered them off….. They dispersed quickly…..

Shotgun and Zubin silently went away with not even a word to each other… They felt very small at what Vishal had said……

Neha sat down confused and sad in her seat… 🥺



Around at ten, Neha was building up a profile on the victim Sundar and his family, when Shotgun came to her……

Shotgun: Neha….

Neha truned around and looked up at him.

Neha: Haan Shotgun….

Shotgun: Main neeche basement office me kuch chemicals lene jaa raha hoon. Must not take more than fifteen minutes… Be back soon….

Neha merely nodded and Shotgun went outside the office……. 😊

Neha was about to turn back, just as Shotgun left, she saw Vishal leave his cabin and go to the lab…. She wondered what he wanted and also Shotgun was not there. She just left it at that and went back to her work…

She had just collected Sundar's wife's past details, when she heard a crashing noise…..

Strartled she got up urgently and looked around hastily trying to locate the source of noise. 😵

Just as she reached Aryan's cabin, she saw a commotion outside Shotgun's lab….. Vishal came storming out with a folder in his hand and went straight into the pantry. Bewildered Neha was looked at Vishal and went to Shotgun's lab…… ❓

All the other staffs of Special Squad had also heard the noise and were crowded outside the lab.

Neha: Hato sab.

The crowd parted and Neha made her way to the lab door only to stop short on her tracks.

Neha: Kya ho…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sight she saw, really stunned her… 😲

A whole table of lab utilities was crashed down on the floor….. She couldn't believe such a thing was happening in Special Squad office……. She was in real fury and wanted to know what has happened…….. 😡

Neha went inside and saw a group of staffs just staring at the mess and just murmuring….

They looked up at her enter and their faces showed one of the fears. 😭

Neha: (Turning back to the crowd outside, in a stern voice 😳 ) Aap logon koi sur kaam nahi hai kya??? Hamesha bheed jama kar dete hain. Jayiye sab apna apna kaam kijiye.

The crowd immediately dispersed, with a murmur.

Neha waited till the last staff had gone from outside, and turned on her heels. 😕

She surveyed the mess and carefully stepping on the broken shards, approached a lady staff standing at the other end of the table.

Neha: (Frustrated)Kya ho raha hai yahan???? 😡
One of the lady staff explained tersely what happened……

Staff: Mam main do din ki chutti ke baad aaj hi office aayi hoon.

Neha: (Irritated) To?????? 😡

Staff: (Gulped, looking around and in a subdued tone) Mujhe pata nahi that ki vo hi Special Squad ke naye chief officer hain. (Neha looked at her pointedly) Mam, Vishal sir aaye the. Unhone kaha ki vo Special Squad ke chief officer hain aur unhe us bat ki analysis ki report chahiye jo Shotgun sir ne kiya tha. Lekin mam… (Pausing a bit and then continuing) Vo kuch maheene pehle office me unlawful entry ki wajah se Aryan sir gussa hue the.

Neha nodded. She knew that the staff was referring to Bomber's entry into Special Squad… What a terrible month it had been for them!!!!!!! 🤢 Changing the atmosphere of Special Squad and especially Aryan-Dipika's relationship forever…. 😳

The staff was continuing……

Staff: (Continuing) Isliye maine unse proof maanga to vo gussa ho gaye. Lekin mam unke paas ID nahi thi. To maine kaha ki Shotgun sir yaa yahan ke kisi officer ke permission ke bina main koi reports nahi de sakti. Main aap se aane hi waali thi permission poochne ki, unhone table me reports dekha. Use gusse se kheencha. Folder lab equipments ke neeche tha, to unke kheenchne se gir gaye aur. Ek gira aur doosre se takkar kar doosre equipments bhi gir….. ga…. ye…….. 😭

The staff spread her hands at the mess that was lying down on the floor.

Neha was doing all she could to control her fury. 😡 She wanted to get to that Vishal, to give him a dose, but seeing the situation she left it off for the present….. 😵

By now the cleaner boys had come and had started cleaning the mess.

Neha: (Taking a deep breath to calm herself down) Acchha theek hai, jaldi ise saaf kar denaa… 😳

The staff nodded and got down to set the table right.

Neha came out thinking. She had two minds to go and give a verbal blow to Vishal. Just then she came to turn left to the pantry when she saw Shotgun coming. 😲

Neha thought "Oh… Oh…" As much as she was angry, she knew Shotgun would actually be furious. He valued his lab and his lab equipments such.

Behind him two staffs were carrying a suitcase and a carton. He himself was carrying a carton. Undoubtedly were the lab supplies.😕
Shotgun: (To the staffs) Tum dono supplies ko lab me rakh do. (To Neha) Hum apne investigations me forensic equipments ki use ko jitnaa kum kar sakte hain, karte hain. Lekin phir bhi expenses shoot ho jaata hai. Ab kaheen jaake is maheene ka expense thoda kum hua hai. Dipika ke wajah se. She is very particular about using the supplies. Ek bhi cheez waste ho, to use clear explanation dena padta hai. Is explanation dene ke chakkar se bachne ke liye hi sahi, maine rationing shuru kar di hai. 😆

Shotgun gave a grin at this joke 😃 but Neha only smiled feebly 😳 giving side-glances towards the lab.

Shotgun found Neha's expressions weird. His smile faded and he asked… 😕

Shotgun: Neha??? Kya hua??? Tum kuch pareshaan lag rahi ho.

Just then he turned towards the lab and saw that the two staffs were still standing outside the lab's door with the supplies in their hands. He was angry now. These people!!!!!!!!!!!! 😡 Tell them something and they can't do it without doses of verbal blow.

He made way to them,before Neha could stop him to explain the situation. She followed him with a worried expression as to how he was going to take the scene.

Shotgun went near them and saw that they were looking at something on the lab's floor. He cast a glance in to the lab and saw the mess. He was shocked, stunned and became angry. 😲 😡

Shotgun: Shit!!!!!!!!

Hearing him the two staffs moved away and Shotgun entered the lab.

Shotgu: What the heck???? 😡 Manji maine tumhe lab ke kuch sounpaa nahi, and you mess with these??? Tumhe pata hai they cost very much. Already hum Government ke budget ko overshoot kar rahein hain and you……. 😔

The girl who had enc 😕 ountered Vishal was tring her best to put in her words, to explain this wasn't her fault. But Shotgun went on venting out his anger.

Neha: (Sternly) Shotgun………

Shotgun: (Controlling his anger) Neha… What…..?!?!?!?!?!?

Neha: (Stopping him in the mid-sentence) Mere saath bahar chalo.

Shotgun: Neha… But… (Indicating the mess)

Neha: Please…..

Neha indicated one of the cleaner buys to take the carton off Shotgun's arms.

Shotgun: Careful. Ise bhi todne ka irada hai kya?!?!?! 😡

The cleaner boy took the carton and Neha led Shotgun outside.

Both of them walked out side by side.

Neha: Shotgun, ye humari staffs ki galti nahi hai. Vishal…..

Shotgun: (Turning around sharply, with gritting teeth) Vishal??????Uska mere lab me kya kaam???? 😡

Neha: Vo…..

Then Neha explained all that the girl Manji had said…. Shotgun listened to all this with fury building in his eyes 😈

Shotgun: That's it…. Ye Vishal Special Squad me do din tak nahi hai, aur usne ek aur loss create kar diya….

Neha: (Confused) Ek aur loss????? Shotgun kya…….????

Shotgun explained to her what had happened in the autopsy room yesterday. 😒

Neha nodded, so that was why Dipika was furious yesterday before the case discussion. She had thought of asking about it, but something had cropped up and she forgot all about it….

Shotgun: Ab aisa kaise chal sakta hai?? Autopsy room me usne jo toda vo to atleast chemical thi and not much. Lekin yahan (Indicating the lab with his hands) what he broke are all costly. Main ise Dipika ko kaise explain karoonga and how will she handle this loss to the Commissioner. Hume itnaa careless samaj lenge and our budgets…..

Neha did her best to calm him down, but he was not in a mood to listen…..

Shotgun was saying…..

Shotgun: Dipika should really do something about it…..

Neha: (Suddenly sternly) Shotgun, baad me… 😳

Shotgun stopped in mid-sentence again and followed Neha's gaze.
😕

Neha made her way to Dipika's cabin. Shotgun saw her and followed.

It was nothing; Neha had just seen Dipika enter Special Squad office. She met Dipika outside her cabin.

Neha: (Smiling) Hai Dipika. 😊

Dipika: (Entering her cabin) Hai Neha….

Saying this she went to her seat……

Neha was stunned.😲Dipika's voice sounded tired. She felt pity for her. She looked inside the cabin and saw that Dipika had her head against the chair's back and was holding her head. Obviously head ache. 🥱

She turned around to go to the pantry and on the way she whispered to Shotgun…..

Neha: Shotgun please, abhi Dipika se kuch mat kehnaa. She is very tired out. Please wait.

Shotgun gave a glance inside the cabin and nodded agreement. Instead of the cabin, he went towards his computer desk…..

Neha made way to the pantry. She paused outside it. She had to go inside, but that guy Vishal would be there. She stood thinking and decided. What was he going to do??? It's just that she didn't want to see him; else she would burst out her anger on him. 😡

Taking a deep breathe, she calmed herself and went.

A little while later she came back out. Inside she didn't even glance around to look who was there. She went, took what she wanted and came straight out.

"Dipika….."

Dipika looked up. She saw Neha extending a glass of water to her.

She smiled gratefully and took it. She took few sips and then drank the whole lot.

Putting the glass down.

Dipika: (With a sigh) Thanks a lot Neha. That was really refreshing. I really needed it very much. 😊

Neha: How did the hearing go???

Neha sat down directly in front of Dipika blocking her sight across her cabin, towards the lab. 😉

She extended a cup of coffee to Dipika. Dipika again smiled at her fondly and took the cup. Before having it, she answered Neha's question.

Dipika: Good… Of course case hum hi jeete…. 👏

Dipika paused to have a sip of coffee.

Neha smiled knowingly. Of course Special Squad has never lost a case. 👍🏼

Dipika: (Surprised, making a face) Tea?????

Dipika looked up at Neha.

Neha: Hunh??? Oh….. (She laughed;😆Dipika had thought it was coffee) Haan… Tea…. It refreshes you more when you are in a state of excitement.

Dipika: (Laughing a little 😆 ) Haan… Tumne pehle bhi kaha tha… (She had a sip again) God…. These advocates. Pata hai ki the evidences are true and false proof, lekin use todne ki itni koshish karte hain. My God!!!!!!!! Aur sirf isliye kyunki they are in defence. (A sip again) Police itni mushkil se kisi muzlim ko pakade hain, aur ye paison ke liye unhe kaise bhi karke chudva dete hain. Unbelievable. 😒

Neha: Haan…. Jitni sincerety se hum apni duty karte hain, agar vo bhi karte to ab tak to the percentage of crimes kum hua hota. More than half the crime is committed by old criminals only. Instead crime to badti jaa rahi hai. 😡

Dipika nodded and shifted slightly in her seat and…… Her glance fell across her cabin, on Shotgun's lab.

Neha noticed her glance and thought "Oh no. She noticed". She had kept the conversation engaging for two reasons. One was of course to ease her mind and other to somehow avoid her seeing her look acroos the cabin, but… It was of no use.

Dipika: (Trying to get a clear view, she contracted her eyes) Neha... Lab me kya hua???? Cleaner boys ab??? Is waqt?????? 😕

Neha half turned to see across. The cleaner boys had completed their work and were carrying a carton. Of course, containing the broken equipments.

Neha turned back and saw that Dipika was trying to figure out their presence still.

Neha: Vo... Haan Cleaner boys. 🤔

Neha was thinking of an excuse for their presence. It was just that she didn't want Dipika to get angry with Vishal again for this. She was already stressed out. Of course she would and has to come to know about it. But now was not the right time.😕

Neha: (Bursting out with the first excuse that came to her mind) Haan... Cleaning karne aaye the. Vo…. Shotgun subah…. lab me…. kaam kar raha tha, to clean nahi kar sake. Abhi lab free hua to, saaf karne, Shotgun ne unhe bula diya….. 😊

Dipika: Oh… That's okay. Lekin aayinda se dyaan rakhna ki agar cleaning subah nahi hui to shaam ko ho. Not in between office hours.

Neha nodded and inwardly let out a sigh of relief. Phew!!! But her relief was short lived. 😊

Dipika: Shayad abhi unse kehnaa theek hoga. Main khud keh deti hoon.

She kept her cup down, got up and opened her cabin door before Neha could stop her.

Neha looking shocked and helpless thought furiously of an excuse to stop her. Oh… Was it now really necessary that Dipika be so perfect and punctual in work done on time? God!!!!!!! 😔

Dipika: (Called out) Shotgun…. Suno

At the cleaner boys, who had just passed her cabin. The boys looked around and came back to her.

Dipika: Agar cleaning……

She stopped and frowned. Her eyes fell on the contents of the carton. It was full of broken glasses.

She gave Neha one of her looks and leaned closer to examine the carton contents.

Neha was like "Oh… No….. No" 😕

Shotgun was coming from his place when he saw Dipika examining the contents.

Dipik: (Picking a piece of glass) Ye kya????? (To the cleaner boys) Sambhalke clean nahi kar sakte the??? Dekha toot gaya……

The cleaning boys looked at each other confused… What???? They broke??? They had come to clean this mess only.

One of the cleaner boys said…..

Silently Shotgun came at the back and stood near Neha. He nudged at her and asked in signs "What happened?" ❓

Cleaning Boy: Lekin mam humne nahi toda. Ise clean karne hi hum aaye the.

Dipika: (Shocked, raising her voice) Kya???? 😲 😡

Shaking her head she looked back at Neha confused.

Neha was just explaing to Shotgun in signs about Dipika finding the lab mess. She just stopped when Dipika turned around.

But too late Dipika had noticed Neha and Shotgun talking in signs. Her expression was not good. Not good at all. Her eyes sort of pierced them. They avoided looking at Dipika. 🤔

Dipika: Tum log jao.

Neha and Shotgun started to go, when she said angrily….

Dipika: Tum log kahan jaa rahe ho???

Shotgun: Vo tumne kaha naa jaane ko?!?!?!?!

Dipika: (Irritated) Tum logon ko nahi, inhe (indicating the cleaning boys, she turned towards the boys and said again) Tum log jao. (Turning back to Neha and Shotgun) Tum dono andar chalo. I need to talk to you. 😲

Saying this she went inside her cabin.

Neha and Shotgun looked at each other. They knew that it wasn't their fault, but still…. Knowing Dipika they knew she wanted all happenings of Special Squad notified to her as soon as possible. And now Neha had lied to her also. 😵

They went inside the cabin. Dipika was pacing restlessly in the space between her's and Aryan's table. 😕

Neha and Shotgun just stood near her table.

Dipika stopped her pacing abruptly and turned towards them, with piercing stare……
😡

Dipika: (In a controlled rage) Lab me kya hua tha???? 😡

Each and every word Dipika stressed and said. She had her doubts about who could have done it, but wanted to know it from her officers directly… 😳

Neha and Shotgun just saw each other, looked back down and stood still, without reacting. This irritated Dipika very much.

Dipika: Neha maine poocha lab me kya hua????? And this time don't even think of lieing…… 😈

Caught!!!!!!!!!!😵Actually Neha was thinking of making another excuse, but Dipika manages to read their minds always……

Neha: (Looking up) Vo kuch nahi. Er…

Dipika: (Bengali) Shotgun, main jaanana chahti hoon kya hua??? Bataooo… 😡

Shotgun decided to tell her. Anyways she would know and also Vishal had to be controlled… Taking a deep breath, he looked at Neha. Neha was just looking on helplessly….. 😕

Shogun: Vishal se hua.

Dipika: (She knew it) Kyun??????

Neha and Shotgun taking turns explained what had happened in the lab. Dipika just took in the details all the while staring at Aryan's chair.

After they had completed…..

Dipika: Vishal kahan hai……??

Shotgun: Vo…

Neha: (Interjecting) Bahar chala gaya hai.

Shotgun looked at her frowning. Neha indicated "No… Now is not the right time". Shotgun took one look at Dipika and agreed. 😔

Dipika was standing stiff-backed for a while before she moved……

She came back to her chair and said…..
Dipika: (To Neha) Hmmm… Jab Vishal aaye use kehnaa I want to talk to him.

Neha: Right….

Neha and Shotgun gave each other looks of relief. They had atleast stalled an oncoming tsunami for now….. But they were doubtful of the reaction Dipika would give them, if she knew that Vishal was still in the office. Neha had said Vishal had gone out, because by the time Dipika faces him she would have composed herself, bringing the fiercity of the row down a bit……

Neha was thinking "Nah she was not one damn penny worried about Vishal, not that git. It was Dipika… She had never seen her irritated, frustrated and angrier before… But nowadays this Vishal was making his best to change Dipika's attitude… That… That…Git again… 😉 Seriously she would have to search the net for calling that git some new interesting names… Maybe another language…. How about in Hindi or more to say Marathi???????" 😆

Now what could be done if Vishal has ill-luck following him? His fate was that he must handle a big rage of Dipika.

Dipika: Waise, Shotgun cricket ke bat ke analysis se kya niklaa tha????

Neha snapped back from her thoughts hearing Dipika ask Shotgun… She thought "Phew!!!! Dipika sounded controlled".

Neha always admired this one quality of Dipika. How much ever angry she may be, but she calmes down immediately and forgave them too…. How cool!!!!!!!!

But of course…..

Just as Dipika asked this question and Shotgun was to answer, Vishal came back from the pantry with the report folder in his hands. Seeing him from inside the cabin, Dipika was shocked. She unbelievingly saw Neha accusingly, because she had said he was not in the office. She had lied again.

Neha was like "Oh God!!!!! Ise abhi aana tha".

Before Dipika could ask her anything, Vishal came there.

Vishal came and stood directly in front of her table. Shotgun and Neha moved to the left side of Dipika's table. Vishal's fury of been neglected in the lab was still burning inside him. He felt so insulted. This was the second time.

Vishal: (In a steely tone) Dipika, Main chahta hoon ki aap abhi isi waqt ek meeting arrange karein. Jisme ye kahein ki Special Squad ka Chief Investigating Officer koun hai. 😲

Saying this he went to his seat and sat down facing Dipika, putting leg on leg and hands crossed over the arms of the chair. How he hated when he said what he had said???? But of course he had to. The matter was getting out of hand. After much consideration and controlling he decided that it would have to be done. And also he admired Dipika's perception that he would want to arrange a meeting soon. He hated losing, but now he seemed to like it?????? Why?????? 😉

But of course he didn't show out his defeat. Why??? Because he was "Vishal". 😈

Dipika was also actually sitting in that same posture as him. She smiled a knowing smile. 👍🏼 She had got him. This was exactly what she had expected to happen. Didn't she mention yesterday to Vishal about himself wanting to arrange a meeting. Dipika was a perceptionist. ⭐️

They both kept looking at each other, eye to eye not even bating an eyelid.

Neha and Shotgun looked at each other stunned. They saw the winning smile playing on Dipika's face. They now knew Dipika's mention of that meeting which Vishal was supposedly going to arrange. They also gave each other a smile, a winning smile here too. 😛

Neha and Shotgun kept looking at Dipika and then Vishal, like audience concentrating on a ball passed in a match of badminton. They wondered who was going to talk now.

Just then the cabin door opened and Ajay, Boxer entered it. Just as they entered, they felt a silent, very silent atmosphere in the cabin. Neha put a finger to her lips to stop them from saying anything. They also stood near the cabin door and watched the eye battle going on between Dipika and Vishal…….

Finally Dipika saw her watch and looked back at Vishal……. She leaned forward and said.

Dipika: (With a smile) 😊 Of course Vishal. Special Squad ke Chief Investigating Officer kahe aur vo nahi kiya jaaye, aisa to nahi hoga. 😃 But time… I will decide.

Vishal stared at her and was about going to retort, when she held up her hand, she again leant back on the chair and continued…….

Dipika: You see Vishal 12-2 Special Squad me lunch timings hai. Staffs duty ko exchange karke, turns me lunch ke liye jaate hain. So by the time all the staffs assemble back it would be 2 O'clock. Aur circular bhejnaa padega and then they would have to assemble, so meeting saade do se pehle nahi ho sakti.

Vishal stared at her contracting his eyes. How much he willed to give her back. 😡

But Dipika wasn't finished. She stood up, went to Vishal's desk.