The Present - Chapter 3

              So am back... A bit late this time but sorry guys was busy in IPL *face palm*... Cric freak you know... But here's the chapter... Go ahead and read!

                               Chapter 3

*A week later, Mumbai*

            On a busy road, two bikes were running with great speed... One chasing another... Daya was riding one of them while Abhijeet was seated behind him... On the other bike a criminal was running away whom they wished to catch... The criminal got into a small lane on the opposite side of the road and Daya turned behind him... They were about to get hold of him when a car coming from the opposite direction dashed with their bike... Duo fell down but were lucky enough not be hurt much... Daya's hand was bleeding while Abhijeet's leg was bruised... But luckily nothing serious...
              Soon a girl came out of the car... Duo were standing straight by then... The girl was none other than Arya...

Arya - (looking at Daya) Pagal ho kya tum? Aise gadi kon chalata hai... Marne ke aur bhi bohot tarike hai... Meri gadi ke samne aana zaruri tha? Kudh bhi maroge aur sath mai isko bhi maroge (pointing to Abhijeet)

Daya - Dekhiye madam! Woh mai jaldi mai tha toh...

Arya - Jaldi mai tha toh bina dekhe kahi bhi ghus jaoge!? Road dekhke cross karte hai! Pata bhi hai tumhe! Pata nahi kisne driving license diya tumhe... Aisi bhi kya jaldi ki apni jaan tak ki parwa nahi hai? Iss age mai aake bhi bees saal ke ladko jaise gadi chala rahe ho!

Daya - Aree meri baat toh suniye!!

Arya - (cutting him in between) Kuch nahi sunna mujhe! (To Abhijeet) App kuch kehte kyu nahi isse!? Dar nahi lagta aise admi ke piche gadi pe baitne se?

                Abhijeet until now was staring at her shockingly... He couldn't reply out of shock that some random girl was shouting on Daya from so long and Daya wasn't even able to utter a word!

Abhijeet - (in his mind) Itna toh ajj tak maine bhi nahi data Daya ko! Maine toh dur... Itna toh ajj tak ACP sir ne bhi nahi data hoga isse (looking at Daya)... Hai kon yeh ladki!?

             Until then Arya had again started yelling at Daya who was silent being helpless!

Abhijeet - (to Daya slowly) Bol na usko! Ki criminal ka picha kar rahe the!

Daya - (in a whisper) Bolne degi toh boluga na!

Arya - Ab apas mai gusur pusur kya kar rahe ho!?

Abhijeet - Nahi woh kuch nahi... Woh hume thoda urgent kaam hai... Hum jaye?

Daya - Pleaseee??? (instantly adding it after Abhijeet finished)

Arya - Haa theek hai jao... Mujhe konsa tum dono se baat karne mai interest hai! Aur woh tumhe haat mai lagi hai na... Toh dressing bhi kara lena!

Daya - Ha ha... Mai sab kara lunga! Thank you

             And picking up their bike both of them left for their next destination that was criminal hideout... While Arya left for CID beauro to meet ACP sir as she was back from USA only today and after dropping Da maa in house had left for beauro in her new car that ACP sir brought for her...
             Still grumbling about duo she reached beauro... She was damn angry at them as they were the reason behind the scratches on her brand new car... Repairing wasn't a problem for her but first gift from her father and it spoiled due to some unknown man's mistake was what made her angry...
__________________________________________

*Beauro*

             ACP sir was sitting in his cabin but was looking out at his officers... A week had passed... But his team was still angry at him... They loved him... They respected him... And so never said anything that would hurt him... But they never knew that it was their silence that was hurting him... He knew that would slowly forgive him once Arya returns... Such was her charm... She wouldn't even need a few days and would already become everyone's favorite! Yes! He knew... His daughter would not let his family stay angry at him...

*A few minutes later*

               The beauro door opened and a girl entered CID beauro... She was wearing black jeans with a while top and a blue jacket over it... Hair neatly tied in a ponytail... A expensive watch in hand and blue glares enhancing her charm! Light makeup and confident personality...

Purvi - Yes? How can we help you?

Arya - Woh mujhe Pa... Sorry! ACP Prayduman se milna hai

Purvi - ACP sir apne cabin mai hai... App rukiye mai unko bulati hu!

Arya - Mai jaa sakti hu kya unke cabin mai? Please?

Purvi - Ek minute... Mai unse puch lu... (And then she called ACP telling him that one girl wanted to meet him and asked him if she should allow her or not) (to Arya) Jayiye... Sir ne apko bulaya hai

             Arya knoked on the door when he heard ACP sir say from inside...

ACP - Come in...

             Arya entered inside and saw that ACP sir was busy in his laptop... He was looking at the screen with utmost concentration and didn't care to look at the visitor... But Arya was lost in him... It had been 22 years since she had seen him in front of her eyes! She was only 5 years old then!!! The voice she used to hear on phone was different in real she realized... Those glittering eyes which always held love for her seemed equivalent to heaven in real... She had been imagining this one moment since one long month... About how she would come in front of him and then would run into his arms... Leaving aside all worries and pains! She had played her 'perfect moment' in her mind a thousand times but still wasn't tired... But today, when she was finally standing in front of him it was different... But more beautiful than her imagination her soul prompted! A tear slipped her eye but she didn't care to wipe it... With shaking voice she called to him...

Arya - Papa...

           Her voice barely above a whisper... But was loud enough to be heard by a father... A father who had left his 'everything' in a far away land... A father who would not let his 5 year old, go to garden by herself was forced to leave her miles away... Seas beyond a piece of his soul lived! Everytime he would be lying on the hospital bed he used to remember her... Remember her with a secret wish of seeing her for one last time... A wish he knew couldn't be fulfilled! Look at his helplessness!!! He couldn't even tell his sons to bring her to him!
             Slowly he got up from his chair... And immediately she ran into his arms... The safest place in the world... In her father's embrace! He hugged her silently... Cause words couldn't do justice to his feelings... She was crying bitterly while he was patting her head to make her comfortable... While he heard her say in between her sobs...

Arya - 22 saal papa! 22 saal! Kyu dur rakha apne mujhe?

ACP - Waqt aane par sab bata dunga mai tumhe! (While in his heart he made a prayer to god... Requesting him that the 'waqt' should never come... Although he knew that this wasn't possible with her being in India now!) Arnu beta... Chalo stop crying now...

              Separating her he gave her a glass of water and when she looked composed he said...

ACP - Chalo aao... Tumhe team se milata hu...

Arya - Haa ok... Am so exited to meet them!

              And then they came out of his cabin... Abhijeet and Daya were back by then and were busy on their respective desks... When ACP sir called them all... But before he could utter a single word Daya uttered in complete disbelief seeing Arya...

Daya - Tum!!! Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho?

Arya - Tumse matlab!?

Abhijeet - Bilkul matlab hai! Humara beauro hai! Hume nahi toh aur kise matlab hoga!

Arya - What do you mean by humara beauro hai!!! Ho kon tum?

ACP - Ek minute!!! Chal kya raha hai yeh? Tum log mile ho kabhi pehle? Sorry i mean to say tum log kabhi jaghde ho pehle?

Arya - Haa! Yeh dono na ek number ke pagal hai! Aur isko (indicating Daya) toh gadi chalani bhi nahi aati! Jab mai yaha aa rahi thi na toh raste mai takra gaye the mujhse!

Daya - For your kind information Miss? (Before she could tell her name) Miss Whosoever! Hum ek criminal ka picha kar rahe the! Idhar udhar dekhne ka mauka nahi mila... Manta hu meri galti thi lekin itni bhi nahi thi!

Arya - Criminal ka picha kar rahe the! Police wale ho!?

Abhijeet - Happy realization!!! Apko finally samjh toh aaya!

Arya - Papa!!! Hai kon yeh dono? Subah se pareshan kar rahe hai!

Abhijeet, Daya together - Papa!?

               Team was shocked to hear Papa from her mouth! ACP sir that day said that she was going to come to India, a week later... Somewhere inside they were exited to meet her but their anger overpowered their exitement and they had forgotten that a week had passed... Here Daya was in a completely different world! Until now he was fighting with ACP sir's daughter!!!

ACP - Finally mujhe kisi ne bolne ka mauka diya! So suno! (To team) Yeh hai meri beti Arya! Aur Arya yeh hai meri team... Sach kahu toh usse kai zayada! Yeh hai Freedy, yeh pankaj aur yeh Purvi... Aur yeh hai Abhijeet aur yeh Daya jisse tum abhi tak jaghad rahi thi!

Arya - What!? Yeh Abhijeet sir aur Daya sir hai?

ACP - Haa!!!

Arya - Toh apne pehle kyu nahi bataya? Maine kitna kuch plan kiya tha! (With a cry baby face) mujhe kitni sari demands karni thi inn dono se!

Daya - Wait! Konsi demands? Kaisi demands?

Arya - Woh app dono mere bhai ho na! Toh demands toh puri karni hi padegi!

Abhijeet - Aur tumhe lagta hai ki jitna apne hum dono ko pareshan kiya hai uske baad hum apki demands puri karege? (With a sarcastic smile)

Arya - Haa toh sorry na! Lekin yeh baat toh app bhi mante ho na ki galti app dono ki thi! Aur mujhe kuch nahi pata... Demands toh puri karni hi padegi app dono ko! Apni pyari si, choti si, cute si behan ke liye itna bhi nahi karoge app dono? (She said with cute expressions no would could ever resist)

Daya - Aur kya demands hai apki?

Arya - Dekho pehle toh mujhe Mumbai ghumna hai... Pura ka pura!!! Ek bhi jagh miss nahi honi chahiye! Then thodi shopping karni hai... Movies dekhni hai... Haa and most importantly mujhe pani puri khani hai!!! Papa ki favorite dish hai... And ajj tak maine kabhi nahi khayi! This is cheating na!

ACP - Nahi! Khai thi na... Jab tum yaha thi tab bohot baar khai hai!

Arya - (with hands on her waist) Kitne saal ho gaye usko?

ACP - Wo... Woh

Arya - What wo... Woh? Boliye na! Woh toh almost pichla janam tha mera!

           Team bursted out in laughter hearing this... While Abhijeet Daya were still in shock seeing how Arya was scolding ACP sir! So it wasn't only them but also ACP sir wasn't safe with her!!!

Daya - The pichla janam that you are talking about... Usme tum insan hi thi na?

Arya - What do you mean?

Daya - Kyuki tum mai insano wale traits toh dikh nahi rahe mujhe... Pata nahi... Alien hogi tum in your previous janam!

Arya - Papaaaaa! Dekho na mujhe chida rahe hai sir!

ACP - Meri DCP ke saath meeting hai... Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Mai jaa raha hu!

               Saying this he quickly ran away into his cabin to get prepared for the meeting! For the first time ever DCP Chitrole seemed a better option to him!

Abhijeet - Pehle toh hume sir bulana band karo! Hum sir nahi hai tumhare... And neither are you treating us like one!

Arya - Haa toh mai bhai bulaugi ok!!!

               And their never ending talks continued to what seemed like forever... With Arya fighting with duo as if they were siblings living with each other from birth... Abhijeet sir being the eldest was a mature one who was trying to sort out their fights... While Daya sir and Arya couldn't stop their cute banters! Purvi became a good friend of Arya on the very first day... And ACP sir from the cabin gave a contented smile as he saw his daughter get so well with his family that they had almost forgotten that she came to India just today! He was adoring duo and Arya from the glass door when heard Arya say...

Arya - Papaaaaa! Dekho na Daya bhai mujhe pareshan kar rahe hai! App inko bhi le jao apke saath meeting mai!

           Hearing this ACP sir nodded his head in dejection and moved out to accomplish mission impossible of solving this fight among his kiddos!

To be continued...

                So Arya is back in India! Already a sister of Abhijeet and Daya... Sweet moments to follow but something else will come along with it! What? Keep wondering... Review please...

The Present - Chapter 2

             Heyo! Am back... With another chapter... Once again earlier than you may have expected... Go on and read... See you at the end

                             Chapter 2

*ACP sir's house*

           Duo came out of ACP sir's room and settled on the couch... When Freedy worriedly asked them...

Freedy - Kya hua sir kuch bataya unhone? Itne pareshan kyu hai woh?

Daya - Nahi... Woh toh humne abhi pucha bhi nahi... Jab unko theek lagega woh kudh hi bata denge

Salunkhe - Hmm... Sahi hai...

            Until then ACP sir came out of his room... He looked a lot more fresh compared to what he was a while ago in his room... Duo took a relaxing sigh when they understood that ACP sir's worry had subsided to some extent... While team was sure that duo worked as antidepressants for him... The whole team was staring at him...

ACP - Aise kya dekh rahe ho sab mujhe? Mai koi alien hu kya?

            Team changed their focus being embarrassed when they again heard ACP sir say...

ACP - Chalo aao sab log pehle dinner kar lete hai... Kyu pankaj? Ajj bhuk nahi lagi tumhe?

Salunkhe - (to lighten the environment) Nahi woh thoda dar gaya hai... Ki khana agar tumne banaya hoga toh kaisa hoga!

ACP - Kya! Pankaj tumhe meri cooking par itna hi bharosa hai kya?

Pankaj - Aree salunkhe sir! App mujhe kyu phasa rahe hai? (To ACP) Maine aisa kuch bola hi nahi sir!

Salunkhe - Bola nahi... Magar socha na!

Pankaj - (looking at duo for help) Sir dekhiye na! Salunkhe sir mujhe zabardasti phasa rahe hai!!!

Abhijeet - Kya baat hai Salunkhe sahab... Ajj meri jagh Pankaj par pyar aa raha hai appko? Koi khaas baat?

Salunkhe - Haa tumse toh bohot khaas hai woh!

Daya - Ek minute! Iske pehle ki app dono mai World War 3 start ho jaye... Dinner kar lete hai!

Abhijeet - Haa Daya chalo... Waise bhi kisi ko bohot maza aata hai mujhse jaghdne mai! (Taunting Salunkhe)

Salunkhe - Mujhe achi tarah se pata hai tumahara ishara kis taraf hai!

Abhijeet - Mujhe ishara karne ki zarurat bhi nahi hai... Mai khule aam apka naam le sakta hu!

             ACP sir was already seated on the table then while others settled too... Only Abhijeet and Salunkhe sir were busy arguing...

ACP - Dekh Salunkhe Daya ne apne Abhijeet ke liye seat pakad li hai (hearing this Daya instantly took away his hand which he had actually kept in order to save the chair beside him for Abhijeet)... Agar tujhe baithna hai toh jaldi aa nahi toh mai Daya jitna acha nahi hu... Bolta hu mai Shyam ko ki teri chair le jaye! Phir khana niche baith ke!

Salunkhe - (Running to his chair while saying to ACP) Kaise dost ho tum... Sikho kuch Daya se!

Abhijeet - Salunkhe sahab Daya mera dost hai (side hugging him)... Mere liye kuch bhi kar sakta hai... Aur uske jaisa aur koi ban bhi nahi sakta!

ACP - Abhijeet tum kehna kya chahte ho? Mai Daya jaisa nahi ban sakta?

Abhijeet - Aree sir aisa kuch nahi hai... Yeh toh salunkhe sahab ki wajh se! (Glaring at him) Chodiye na sir... Hum dinner karte hai!

            And then they had dinner... Their talks being more sweet and salty than the food! ACP sir had completely forgotten his worries... The magic of his team!
             After dinner they all settled back in their places... With ice creams in their hand... They were all chatting among themselves... Pulling each other's legs and doing all sorts of things they couldn't do in beauro... While ACP sir was silently sitting on his chair... Looking at his team, admiring them but lost in his thoughts... After a while team noticed his silent behaviour when Daya asked him...

Daya - Kya baat hai sir... App pareshan lag rahe hai?

             But ACP sir did not react to him... Maybe he didn't even hear him! When Purvi who was nearer to ACP sir tried calling him...

Purvi - Sir?

ACP - Ha? Bolo Purvi?

Purvi - Sir woh Daya sir app ko kuch bol rahe the!

ACP - Haa Daya?

Daya - Kuch nahi sir... Woh bas aise hi!

             ACP sir sighed looking down and made up his mind to tell them all whatever he wanted to tell...

ACP - Ek kahani sunoge?

            Team well understood that he wanted to tell them and nodded their head in yes...

ACP - 27 saal pehle... Ek admi ek raste par chal raha tha... Shaam ka waqt tha aur mausam bohot acha... Achanak usse kahi se ek bache ke rone ki aawaz aayi aur usne aaspas dekha... Ek ped ke niche ek basket mai ek choti si bachi ro rahi thi... Uske paas koi nahi tha... Woh admi uss bachi ke paas ruk gaya... Ghanto beet gaye lekin uss bachi ko lene koi nahi aaya... Woh admi usse apne ghar le gaya aur uss basket mei note likh ke chod di jisme uska address aur phone number tha...

              ACP sir was lost in his own world while saying and team was attentively and patiently listening to him...

                            *Flashback*
              It was midnight but sleep was far away from the angelic eyes of the baby girl... She was lying under the blanket on the king sized bed while ACP sir was busy making her asleep sitting in a half lying posture beside her... But she was in no mood to sleep instead wanted to do masti! Pushing aside the blanket with legs... Moving her small hands in random directions and pulling ACP sir's shirt being some of them...

ACP - Tum itni cute kyu ho? Daatne ka bhi man nahi karta! Aur beta raat sone ke liye hoti hai... We are humans not owls! So jao na!

            While she replied him in her own language understandable to none... And ignoring his request continued playing... ACP sir was forcing himself to be awake... His eyes closing but he couldn't sleep! He was looking at her with amused expressions... She busy with her own self... Her big cheeks dangling the typical way and ACP sir enjoying its moment... She was playing with her toys and he was playing with her... For the first time ever he loved not being allowed to sleep!
              The next day arrived and ACP sir left for office... He took her with him as he couldn't leave her alone at home... He started searching for her parents... Inquired in all the hospitals and clinics about the girl so that he could find out where she was born and hence her parents... But he got the same reply every where... That the girl was not born in their hospital... Having no other option he took her back to his house... On the way buying a cradle, some toys and some dresses for her... He also buyed baby care products as he knew he would need them! It was funny for the people around to see how a tough cop was doing such duties... But he enjoyed doing them... This little girl gave him happiness... Even after being awake the whole night he wasn't tired... Working around her made him smile... Her impossible to understand words becoming his favorite song... Her eyes his favorite thing show and her dangling cheeks his favorite toy whenever free... Four days passed but not even a single information about her parents... His friends and colleagues suggested him to leave her in some orphanage cause if her parents wanted her they would have come back by now! His heart didn't permit him to do it! He just couldn't... He spent days thinking about the same but couldn't make up his mind to do it!
              One day ACP sir got struck in a unexpected encounter... A bullet hit his shoulder but by god's grace he was safe... He and his best friend Arjun went to the day care center where he used to leave the girl when on duty... Getting out of the car Arjun once again tried convincing him...

Arjun - Prayduman tum samjhte kyu nahi ho? Yaar uss bachchi ko nahi sambhal paoge tum!

Prayduman - Aise kaise nahi sambhal pauga!? Itne dino se sambhal raha hu na mai... Aage bhi sambhal lunga

           And he turned back to pick her up... When he heard Arjun saying...

Arjun - Baghwan na kare agar ajj woh goli tumahare shoulder par nahi dil par lagi hoti toh?

            Having no answer ACP sir was silent... Arjun was correct! What if he wouldn't have returned from the hospital today?

Arjun - Uss bachchi ko yaha se wapas le jane bhi koi nahi aata! Ek mahina hua hai usse iss duniya mai aaye hue... Usse nahi pata yeh duniya kitni buri hai! Apne app ko bacha nahi sakti woh... Uski nazre tera intezar karti rahigi jaise abhi kar rahi hai (he said indicating to the baby girl who was looking at ACP sir in a hope that he will pick him up)... Aur jab un nazaro ke samne tu nahi aa payega na toh iss puri duniya ka koi bhi insan uss masoom ko yeh nahi samjha payega ki tu kyu nahi aaya! Hum inspector hai... Kab konsi goli par humara naam likha ho yeh hum nahi bata sakte! Maut ke dar ko jeet chuke hai hum... Lekin uss bachchi ko toh yeh bhi nahi pata ki maut hoti kya hai! Iske pehle ki tujhe woh apni puri duniya bana le usse apne app se dur karde! Yehi tere liye aur uske liye bhi acha hoga!

            ACP sir looked back at the girl... She was still looking at him with hopeful eyes... Those eyes making him weak again... But yes... What Arjun said was correct! Each and every word that Arjun said was correct!!! What if something happened to him? Who would look after her?
            He picked her up from the day care... With his broken arm! But it didn't hurt cause his heart was hurting more! They reached home... He had decided that he would leave her in a orphanage the next morning! He gave her meal and made her sleep... He was sitting on his rocking chair and staring at her... Unlike everyday today she didn't trouble him while taking the meal... Didn't do any masti and silently went off to sleep... Maybe she heard his heart crying or maybe sensed that he was going to leave her all alone the next day. Sleep was far away from his eyes! Whole night he kept looking at her... At that sweet little girl who was unaware of the happenings... He was committing a sin! His soul prompted... But it was all for her betterment his brain argued.
            Nature followed its path and the sun rose... A black day for him... Silently he got ready... Made her wear a cute frock and keeping her in a cradle took her away... Away from the house that was her home only for a few days! He went to the orphanage and went inside its gate where the watchman opened the door for him... The orphanage was huge... With a big building and a inbuilt school... A big garden and playground for kids... Where kids were playing football in their break... It had all facilities for children who didn't have anyone to look after them... But a orphanage is a orphanage!
                 He knew the manager there as he was one of the regular doners... The manager greating him with smile...

Manager - Ji sir! Ajj app yaha? Achanak?

ACP - Haa woh kuch kaam tha...

Manager - Ji sir boliye na?

ACP - Woh yeh bachchi hai (he said indicating at the cradle while the girl innocently looking at him... He immediately shifted his gaze from her as his eyes met hers... Guilty he was) Isse yaha chodne aaya tha... Iska iss duniya mai koi nahi hai!

Manager - Sure sir... Humara wada hai appse koi kami nahi hone denge hum isse

            And then ACP sir completed the formalities... Heavy hearted!

ACP - Agar kabhi bhi kisi bhi chiz ki isse zarurat pade toh yaad rakhiyega... Mai hu! Iski aakho mai kabhi aasu nahi aane chahiye!

Manager - Ji sir... Mai pura khayal rakhuga!

          He was about to turn to leave when the little girl held his index finger with her whole hand... With all the strength that it possessed... He had thousand times more strength than her... But it seemed as if the whole universe was stopping him from going... His eyes teary and he knew that her eyes were shedding tears too... He felt like ignoring every logic, hug her tight and tell her that he was there for her and would never leave her alone... When Arjun's words started ringing in his ears 'Agar ajj woh goli tumahare shoulder par nahi dil par lagi hoti toh?'... And he decided not to melt... He had to go away from her... For her betterment! And gathering all his courage he removed his finger from her grip and walked out of the building without turning back... He knew if he would see her he wouldn't be able to go!
                He drove straight to the beach... Maybe the only place that could make him feel better now!
                It was a sunny day and sun was shining bright in the sky... Hot and humid! The typical Mumbai climate... Salty water of the sea shining in the sunlight... Various vendors trying to sell their products to some of the people who were there on the beach... But far away in a corner a man was sitting alone... Away from the worldly chores! Lost in his own world of sadness... ACP sir was sitting on a rock watching the movement of the waves... Salty water making the wound on his arm burn but the same salty water was healing his inner wounds... Her voice still ringing in his ears and his eyes still searching for her... The way she held his hand... The way she smiled at him... The way she would get scared when she saw him angry and the way she would laugh at some stupid things only she found funny! Even thinking about her made him smile... The memories she gave him in such a small time! In her thoughts he drifted into sleep... Into pain that was deeper than the sea!
               His sleep woke with a crying voice... He opened his eyes and looked around... It was already evening and the sun was half below the horizon... But his eyes were searching for the voice... It was the same cry that he heard days ago... The voice which made him pick her up and take her with him! He looked back and saw her there... His little angel was lying in the same cradle in which he left her... She had now stopped crying... And was smiling looking at him... He ran to her an picked her up... His eyes shedding tears... He hugged her tight but delicately so as not to the hurt the precious soul... He separated her and looked at her face... While she was looking at his tears... With a soft touch she wiped a tear that had just slipped his left eye... And seeing her gesture another tear slipped his right one...
               Gaining his sences back in a while he looked around to see how she reached here! When he found a lady standing holding the cradle... She was a middle aged lady and looked very poor by her appearance

ACP - App kon hai? Aur isse yaha kyu layi hai?

Lady - Ji mai iss bachchi ki dai hu! Iska khayal rakhna meri zimedari thi... Lekin ajj se yeh appki amanat hai... Iss bachchi ka koi nahi hai sahab! Jo isse pyar karte the woh iss duniya mai nahi rahe aur jo hai woh isse pyar nahi karte... Na jane kitne dushman hai iss masoom ke... Unn sab ka samna yeh akeli nahi kar sakti... Kisi par vishwas nahi hai mujhe... Kisi par bhi nahi... Sab dushman hai iske! Uss orphanage tak bhi pohch jayege woh log isse marne... Iski raksha apke alawa koi nahi kar sakta! Bas itna yaad rakhiyega sahab ki agar apne bhi iska saath chod diya na toh yeh bachchi iss duniya ko hi chodne pe majbor ho jayegi!
                       *Flashback ends*

ACP - Aur phir maine ne uss bachchi ko adopt kar liya

             There was pin drop silence in the house... Team didn't know how to react... What to say and what not to say... When Salunkhe sir gathered courage and said...

Salunkhe - Ab kaha hai woh?

Prayduman - USA mai... Agle hafte wapis aa rahi hai

Salunkhe - Tumhe bees saal lag gaye hume yeh batane mai? Ya phir ajj bhi sirf isliye bataya hai kyuki woh wapis aa rahi hai aur tum iss baat ko aur chupa nahi sakte the!?

Prayduman - (shocked at his words) Nahi yaar... Mere paas bhi ek wajh thi yeh baat na batane ki!

Abhijeet - Aisi bhi konsi wajh thi sir ki app ne itni badi baat humse chupayi?

Prayduman - Woh... Woh mai tum logo ko nahi bata sakta

Daya - Bata nahi sakte? (With a painful smile) Koi baat nahi sir... Agar hume apke bare mai janne ka haq bhi nahi hai toh hum nahi puchege!

Prayduman - Nahi Daya aisi baat nahi

Abhijeet - (cutting in between) Hum chalte hai sir... Bohot late ho gaya hai... Thank you for the dinner

               Although ACP sir knew that they would react like this he was hurt... But he knew that they were hurt too... This team wasn't only a team but instead was a family... Where no one hid anything from the other... Even the smallest of the happenings were shared... But he hid such a huge thing from them... He deserved their anger, he told himself... But he had a reason for hiding this... What? He could not reveal
__________________________________________

*New York City 10:30 pm*

             On a huge LED screen ACP sir's photo was flashing... It was actually a wall covered with different LED TVs linked together to form a wall out of it... The flshing photo indicating video call from ACP sir... A helper came and picked up the call... And went inside to call Arya... Meanwhile Da maa came there to talk to him...

Da maa - Namaste sahab

ACP - Namaste... Woh Arya nahi aayi?

Da maa - Apse naraz hai sahab... Kyuki app usse India aane se mana kar rahe hai... Bol rahi thi ki jab tak mai India nahi pauch jati woh apse baat nahi karegi!

ACP - Hmm... Toh lawyer madam gussa ho gayi hai! Koi nahi... Abhi manate hai usse... Hai kaha woh?

Da maa - Apne kamre mai hai... Helper ne bata toh diya hai ki apka phone aaya hai... Lekin woh bahar nahi aayi... Matlab mu phula kar baithi hogi!

ACP - Ok... Jara uske room ke speaker se connet karna

             Da maa did as he said and now Arya could hear whatever he was saying...

ACP - Arya?

             She was sitting on ger bed... Folding her legs and holding them with with her hands... Hearing his voice she turned her head to the opposite side as if he was sitting in front of her! Although he couldn't see her but still ACP sir knew what she just did... A father he was... And he knew every reaction of his daughter...

ACP - Muh pher lene se awaz aana band nahi ho jayegi!

Arya - Huh!

ACP - ARNU beta suno na!

Arya - Don't use this name! Apko pata hai then i cannot stay angry on you!

ACP - Isiliye toh use kiya!

Arya - Papa! (She said in a complaining tone)

ACP - Acha baba sorry... Tumhe aana hai na India aa jao... Nahi rokta mai tumhe! Kush?

Arya - Sachi?

ACP - You know i don't lie! Chalo ab hall mai toh aao! Video chat karte hai...

Arya - Hmm... Aati hu

            She arrived in the hall and sat on the sofa... Where ACP sir could see her clearly...

Arya - Apne apki team ko bata diya mere bare mai?

ACP - Hmm bata diya...

Arya - How did they react?

ACP - Thode naraz hai... Aur unki narazgi jayaz bhi hai.... Magar dhire dhire unka gussa bhi shant ho jayega... Tumahari tarah gussa naak pe nahi baitha hota na unke!

Arya - Huh! Pata hai mujhe bohot achi hai apki team... Mujhe bhi milna hai unse... Dekhu toh sahi kon hai yeh apke Abhijeet aur Daya... Jinki tarif karte karte app thakte nahi ho!

ACP - Haa mil lena jab idhar aaogi...

Arya - Haa... Mere bade bhai hai na woh dono... Bohot sari demands karugi unse! Aur unhe puri bhi karni padegi!

ACP - Matlab aate hi un dono ko bhi pareshan karna shuru kar dogi!

Arya - Haa (then realizing what he just said)... What do you mean!? Mai aur kisko pareshan karti hu?

ACP - Hai ek bichara ACP... Mumbai CID ka! Victim hai na woh Arnu madam ka!

Arya - Wapis aane do mujhe... Phir batati hu CID Mumbai ke ACP ko ki pareshan karna kya hota hai... Just wait until Arnu returns!

              And the neverending talks of ACP sir's chatterbox went on for long... While a father kept enjoying her talks... Still worried about what will happen when she comes back to India

To be continued...

                And so this chapter ends... With lots of mysterys to follow... Why was baby Arya's life under danger? Who is this Dai ma? What made ACP sir change his decision and adopt the baby girl? Why did ACP sir kept this secret... Even from his own team? All answers will be given... Until then review please!

The Present - Chapter 1

             So am back... Back? Actually i never went! Can't stop troubling you guys with my stupid stories... Sorrryyyy! But you gotta read this one... Go ahead and read...

                               Chapter 1

             A girl was hurriedly running down a staircase in a huge bungalow... Bungalow? Better say a palace! It seemed no less than a residence of a queen... Huge walls painted in white... White flooring with a bluish white carpet on the ground... Paintings made by famous and great artists hung around on the walls... A huge chandelier hanging in between the drawing room... Precious artefacts kept around for decoration... A combination of white and blue curtains covering the huge windows... Numerous trophies, kept in one showcase which reflected the brilliance of the owner of this house... Number of helpers and workers were moving around in the mansion... Some cleaning the huge vases... While some busy in arranging the cushions on the sofa... A chef was busy working in the kitchen with some other helpers.
            As soon as the girl came down she went near a wall... The wall that was covered by a majestic photo... She pulled aside the curtain that was present in front of the photo...  The yellow lights enhancing the beauty of the picture... It depicted a handsome man dressed up in a suit, standing holding a small girl of about 4 years old in his arms... The photo seemed to be taken in a garden with small plants bearing beautiful and delicate flowers in the background... The young girl was wearing a bright yellow coloured frock and was smiling big... Her smile brighter than sunshine and this was seen by the way the man was looking at her... Lovingly and with care as if holding his most precious possession in his hands
             The girl was staring at the man in the photo... After a few moments she said...

Girl - Papa... Ajj ek bohot important case ka verdict hai... Please wish me the best!

               And after a while she gave the same beautiful smile as in the picture and then walked to the dining room to have her breakfast... As soon as she settled helpers started serving her when one helper came there to inform her that some reporter had came to meet her...

Girl - Send him here!

           And soon a man walked inside holding a tablet in his hand...

Girl - Please have a seat...

Reporter - Thank you ma'am (settling down)... Ma'am am Ray... I am here to take your interview ma'am... As you had promised our editor one...

Girl - Yeah i remember... Breakfast?

Reporter - No ma'am... Am already done... Thank you

Girl - Then lets begin... I have only half an hour as i have a hearing in the court and i need to leave for my office...

Reporter - Ok Miss ARYA PRAYDUMAN... So i would like to being with it! Ma'am you are rightfully regarded as one of the best defense lawyers in The New York City infact in the whole of the USA... Not a single case lost in your whole carrier... How did you do it ma'am?

Arya - As i always say... If you are innocent you shouldn't be punished! Thats the only principle i follow... Taking the right case for the right man is important... And obviously proving what is true is easier than proving what is wrong... Every criminal does some or the other mistake... So catching the right one helps me proving my clients innocent

Reporter - Ma'am you are already living the life people dream of... Being only 24... Any secrets?

Arya - First of all if i look like 24 then thank you... But sadly am not 24 but 27... About secrets! There's none... You better ask this question to the department of internal revenue service! (With a laugh)

Reporter - Nice sense of humor ma'am... Ma'am something about your family... It has always been a mystery to us!

Arya - (her expressions changing to grave hearing the word family) Next question please!

Reporter - Sorry if it hurt you in anyway... Ma'am there are rumors all around that you are going to shift to India after few days! Is anything true in this?

Arya - Am worried the rumors are true... I am going to shift to India in a weeks time... This case is my last case in US

Reporter - May i know the reason behind this sudden decision if not personal?

Arya - Its just that am missing my birth place... The country i belong to...

              Her cellphone rang disturbing their talks...

Arya - Yes Joe? (her assistant)

Joe - Ma'am... There's some important business that you will personally have to look after... When can i expect you in your office ma'am?

Arya - I will be there in an hour...

            Cutting the call she excused the reporter and went in her room to get ready... She came back and found DA MAA waiting for her in the hall... DA MAA was a old lady in her mid 60s... Her hair white and skin tone fair... One of the very few sari wearing ladies in the USA... And the only person close to Arya...

Arya - Da maa mai office jaa rahi hu...

Da maa - Beta nashta kar liya na?

Arya - Haa kar liya...

Da maa - Sham ko jaldi ghar aa jana beta... Sahab ka phone aane wala hai na...

Arya - Haa mai aath baje tak aa jaugi... Aur mai papa se baat nahi karne wali... Woh phir se wahi bolege ki India mat aao... Aur aise bolte hai ki mujhe manna hi padta hai... Lekin iss baar nahi... Mai India jaa kar hi rahugi... Aur jab tak pauch nahi jati unse baat bhi nahi karugi! Chalo bye... Mai jaa rahi hu office...

              And soon she ran off to her stretched limo and the chauffeur drove her off... Here Da maa was still sitting on the couch staring at the picture hanging on the wall...

Da maa - Woh nahi manegi sahab... Bohot ziddi hai... Apphi ki tarah... Ab na usse app rok sakte hai na mai... Ab India jakar kya hoga yeh sirf upar wala hi janta hai!
__________________________________________

*ACP sir's house, Mumbai*

              ACP sir was sitting on his rocking chair in his bedroom... Looking at some indefinite point... Lost in his thoughts... He was lost in a past memory dated 27 years ago...

                            *Flashback*
           ACP sir was walking on the streets of Mumbai... He was out for a evening walk... Not often he got time for walks like these... His job in CBI (then as its 27 years ago) kept him busy... He was looking around at the beauty of nature... Humming a song and watching the birds flying back to theirs nests... It was a windy day... Trees were harshly moving against each other giving rise to rustling noise... When in between he heard some sound... Sound of a child crying... He looked around trying to figure out from where was the sound coming when he saw a basket peeping out from behind a tree... He went there to find a small baby basket made up of cane... It was covered with a baby pink coloured soft and thin cloth which was almost transparent... With a cream coloured cotton mattress inside and a small cream coloured blanket... It was covered from all sides with a net which was again pink in colour while small toys hanging on its handle for the child... Small stars decorated the basket while ribbons made it look cuter... But even the beautiful basket failed to match the cuteness of the baby girl that was lying inside it... She was about only a month old... Wearing a sky blue coloured frock... And a hairband on her head... A teadybear in hand and teary eyes... She looked like an angel who just came on earth from heaven... ACP sir was looking at the baby girl while she stopped crying when she saw him... With her angelic deep black eyes she was staring him without blinking... ACP sir looked around to find if someone was coming to take her but he couldn't see anyone... He started going away to looking for the child's parents but as soon as the small innocent soul saw him going she started crying again... ACP sir finding no other way waited at the place...

ACP - (worriedly) Koi itna laparwa kaise ho sakta hai! Itni si bachi ko koi aise chod ke jata hai kya!

             An hour passed and then a few more... But no one came to take back the innocent soul... The sun had already set and moon took its place... ACP sir was still standing there... With the support if the tree... And the basket with the girl still kept near him... ACP sir would not budge... His heart didn't permit him to leave such a small child alone on a windy night... Just then the baby girl started crying again... ACP sir tried consoling her but it was of no use... Maybe she was hungry he concluded... And having no other option he picked up the girl from the basket... Kept a note in it with his address and phone number so that in case someone comes there searching for her they may find the note and giving a last glance around he walked back to his house... On the way he brought a packet of baby food
               Entering inside his house he closed the door... While making food her started talking to the innocent soul although he knew she would understand nothing...

ACP - Ab appko yahi rehna hai... Jab tak appke mumma papa nahi mil jate... Ok?

               While the girl flashed a beautiful smile at his words as if replying to him that yes am ready to live with you... Today... Tomorrow... And forever...
                         *Flaskback ends*

           Doorbell rang bringing ACP sir out of his thoughts... Shyam, ACP sir's helper opened the door and saw team waiting outside and welcomed them... ACP sir had called them for dinner today... He told that he wanted to share something with them and he would do it over dinner today... What? They had no idea of... But they had seen nervousness on his face... A rare nervousness I would say! ACP Prayduman and nervous... It was indeed a rare sight which made the team worried... But having no other option he decided to wait until he tells them what ever he wanted to...

Shyam - Sahab aayiye na ander...

Abhijeet - Woh ACP sir hai na?

Shyam - Haa sahab hai... Woh app logo ka hi intezar kar rahe the... Unke kamre mai hai woh... App log baithiye mai abhi bulata hu unko...

Daya - Nahi... Tum rehne do... Hum bula kar late hai unhe...

Abhijeet - Haa chalo...

            While the team settled on the sofa Abhijeet and Daya went upstairs to ACP sir's room... They knocked on the door seeking permission to enter inside... While a low voice responded them saying...

ACP - Aa jao... Darwaza khula hai...

            Abhijeet and Daya entered inside to find the room dark... The lights were off and the only source of light in the room was window through which faint moonlight entered... They could see ACP sir's silhouette sitting on the rocking chair... This was another rare sight that they witnessed today... ACP sir sitting so silent in the dark... Now they were sure of something going on in his mind that was disturbing him... Before they could say anything ACP sir said in the same low voice...

ACP - Aa gaye na sab log? Chalo bahar chalte hai...

Abhijeet - Haa sir sab log toh aa gaye... Lekin humare ACP sir kahi chale gaye hai!

ACP - (facing them now) Mai kaha gaya hu? Mai toh yahi hu... Tum dono ke samne!

Daya - Nahi sir yeh toh bas appka sharir hai... Apka man toh kahi aur hi hai... Nahi toh humare ACP sir iss tarah, andhere mai baithne walo mai se nahi hai sir!

        Until then duo had settled on the bed... Room still being dark as no one wished to make it illuminated as darkness helps seeing somethings better which light hides!

ACP - (in an attempt to change the topic) Mai andhere se darta thodi na hu jo andhere mai na baith saku!

Abhijeet - App bahar ke andhere ki baat kar rahe hai sir aur hum apke andar ki andhere ki baat kar rahe hai... Woh andhera jisse kahi na kahi hum teeno darte hai!

ACP - Abhijeet tum yeh kya...

Daya - Sach kahu sir agar koi kaam hai jo app nahi kar sakte toh woh hai jhoot bolna... Aur humse toh bilkul bhi nahi...

Abhijeet - Hum jante hai sir koi toh baat hai jo apko pareshan kar rahi hai!

ACP - Baat toh hai Abhijeet aur wahi batane ke liye ajj tumlogo ko bulaya hai maine... Kaise batau bas yeh hi samjh nahi aa raha!

Abhijeet - Mujhe nahi pata sir ki woh kya baat hai... Lekin mujhe yeh zaroor pata hai sir ki koi bhi baat apko pareshan kare yeh hum hone nahi denge...

Daya - Sir app humse kuch bhi bolne se pehle kabse sochne lag gaye sir? Agar hum pareshani kam na bhi kar sake toh bhi apke saath toh khade ho sakte hai na! Iss kabil apphi ne banaya hai hume...

Abhijeet - Bilkul sahi keh raha hai sir Daya! Kisi bhi halaat mai... Appke yeh bete aur CID team ka pura pariwar aake saath khada hoga sir... Aisi koi ladai nahi hai jo appko akali ladni pade... Yeh wada hai hum dono ka appse!

Daya - (starting fresh) App muh haat dhoke aa jayiye sir... Hum sabke saath niche appka intezar kar rahe hai...

           And then they went out of the room... ACP sir still staring the place his sons were sitting a moment ago... He smiled proudly looking at the photo of duo that was kept on the side table of his bed... He was a proud father... And was sure that his sons would support him no matter what in whatever circumstances that may occur...

To be continued...

            So here ends Chapter 1 of The Present... The anxiety and nervousness of the first chapter comes back... Can't wait for your review guys... Please do tell me if you liked it or not... Believe me... Your reviews do matter!

Heart vs Brain - Chapter 23

          Hellooooooo!!! Am back... With the last chapter of Heart vs Brain... Go ahead and read...

                              Chapter 23

*Motel room*

          Alarm rang and with its sound Abhijeet woke up... So did Daya... The day had arrived... The day of final action... They were prepared for it... And so was everyone... As soon as he got up Abhijeet called Dr. Avinash to tell him to be alert... And not to move out of the hospital as he being linked to Abhijeet had a lot of information and he knew that goons may try to harm him... Then he went to freshen up and until then Daya had ordered breakfast... Soon they were ready... Disguised and determined... Both moved towards their own destination... Abhijeet disguised as Karan went into criminal's hide out while Daya left for the campus of the IT company where the bomb was to be planted
             The terrorists arrived from different routes in different cars... Daya was hiding behind a tree while Abhijeet was busy with the gang... Vikrant went inside to plant the bomb... He cracked security and went inside while all others were doing their assigned tasks... Soon Vikrant came out and they all started leaving one by one in their respective cars on different routes as decided...

Aakash - Karan!!!

Abhijeet - Haa? Kya hua?

Aakash - Mujhe lagta hai waha koi hai! Jo humpar nazar rakh raha hai... Chal dekhte hai! (He said indicating to the place where Daya was hiding)

Abhijeet - Hmm... Chal dekhte hai!

              They went there to find no one as Daya was already away from the place as he understood that Aakash was suspicious of him...
              Soon Abhijeet left in his car with some other gang members while Aakash left in another... Freedy, Pankaj and Purvi saw the car which Abhijeet was driving... As per ACP sir's orders they started following it while Daya heaved a sigh a of relief seeing this as was now sure that Abhijeet's plan would work out... Abhijeet was escaping them well but wasn't going out  if their vision so that they could chase him! But little did Daya know that their problems were still not over!
                Aakash called Vikrant, as soon as he sat in his car...

Vikrant - Kya hua?

Aakash - Boss woh ek problem ho gayi hai!

Vikrant - Kya hua?

Aakash - Boss woh jo Karan hai na! Woh... Woh Karan nahi Abhijeet hai!!!

Vikrant - What!!! Woh CID inspector Abhijeet?

Aakash - Haa boss wahi Abhijeet!!! Abhi jab hum IT park se nikal rahe the na maine uska haat dekha... Boss uske haat mai wahi ghadi thi jo maine CID beauro mai Daya ke haat mai dekhi thi... Ek photo mai jab mai waha ACP pe nazar rakh raha tha! Ab Daya ki ghadi Abhijeet ke alawa aur kiske paas ho sakti hai... Aur yeh sirf ek coincidence hai yeh mai nahi maan sakta!

Vikrant - Yeh baat pehle nahi bata sakta tha tu!

Aakash - Boss ajj tak mai Karan se mila hi nahi tha! Mai toh unn sab ko information phone par hi deta tha na!!!

Vikrant - Theek hai woh sab chod ab! Woh humare saath ghum raha hai humme se ek ban kar! Zarur kuch plan kiya hoga usne! Iss baar humara plan fail nahi ho sakta!!! I want Abhijeet dead!!! (He shouted over phone expressing all his anger)

Aakash - Lekin kaise boss?

Vikrant - Woh kudh marega apne app ko!

Aakash - Woh kaise?

             And then they discussed their plan and soon Aakash changed his path and went towards Dr. Salunkhe's house which was not far... Under pretext of wanting to have a talk with Dr. Salunkhe he went inside his house and rang the doorbell... Salunkhe sir opened the door to find no one outside and as he turned back he felt a blow on his head... He fell down unconscious and Aakash picked him up and drove away... Then he called Raghu who was in the same car as that of Abhijeet...

Aakash - Meri baat dhyan se sun aur koi reaction mat dena!

Raghu - Hmm... Bol...

Aakash - Karan hi Sr. Insp Abhijeet hai... Humara plan fail karane aaya hai... Usse gadi se bahar dhakal de!!! Gadi mat rokna nahi toh piche aate hue CID wale tum logo ko pakad lenge!

Raghu - Okk

             And in no time Raghu opened the door of Abhijeet's side and pushed him out... Taking the driving seat he himself started driving... Here Abhijeet fell on the road... Hurting his arm and leg... Some other scratches here and there... He understood that may be terrorists came to know his identity and hence the result! He got up holding his arm with another and stumbling took a step or two when Freedy, Pankaj and Purvi came there and stopped beside him... They aimed their gun at him thinking that he is one of the goons they were chasing!

Abhijeet - Tum log yaha kyu ruk gaye uss gadi ka picha karo jaldi!

            Yes!!! This voice!!! They had heard it! The one they heard every day... It was their Abhijeet sir's voice... How could they forget? Was this person really Abhijeet... What if it was a trap? No... They couldn't trust anyone!

Freedy - Dekh natak mat kar! Pata hai hume tu unn logo ka sathi hai! Aur humare Abhijeet sir kaha hai?

Abhijeet - (removing his moustache and beard) Yaha hai tumahare Abhijeet sir! Un logo ka picha karo... Jao jaldi!

Pankaj - Abhijeet sir!!! (Teary eyed! After all they had seen him after three long months)

Abhijeet - Yeh waqt emotions ka nahi hai... Unhe pakad na bohot zaruri hai... 9000 zindigi ka sawal hai... Woh almost 50 log hai! Police ko bula lena back up ke liye! Ab jao jaldi!!!

Purvi - Yes sir!

            And then they left the place following the order! As soon as they left Abhijeet's phone started ringing... It was Aakash's call...

Abhijeet - Hello

Aakash - Hi Karan! Wait, wait, wait... Karan nahi Abhijeet! Dhoka diya na tumne hume... Ab dekh hum tere saath kya kya karte hai!

Abhijeet - Dhoka? (Sarcastic laugh) Tu aur dhoke ki baat kar raha hai! Sirf paiso ke liye apna zamir bech diya tune... Police department ki izzat mitti mai mila di tune... Apne desh se hi gaddari ki... Aur tu mujhe bol raha hai dhoka diya!

Aakash - Abe oye! Agar tera lecture katham ho gaya ho toh meri baat dhyan se sun! Tera woh doctor hai na... Dr. Salunkhe... Woh mere kabze mai hai... Maine usse zamin mai gaad diya hai... Sirf 20 minute hai uske paas... Uske baad uska khel katham! Agar usse bachana hai toh tujhe marna hoga... Ek gadi aayegi abhi tere paas 5 minute baad... Uss gadi mai baith ke thok dena gadi... Pata hai gadi hi kyu? Kyuki tune ussi gadi ke chakkar mai hume dhoka diya tha! Iss baar gadi sach mai jalni chahiye... Koi aag lagane nahi aayega usse... Aur agar agg nahi lagi toh salunkhe toh gaya!

Abhijeet - Dekh Salunkhe sir ko nahi hona chahiye!!! Haat bhi mat lagana unko!

Aakash - Pehle jo bola hai woh kar! Aur koi chalaki nahi

Abhijeet - Mai kaise maan lu ki mere marne ke baad tum Salunkhe sir ko chod doge?

Aakash - Aur koi rasta nazar aa raha hai tujhe? Jitna kaha hai utna kar!

              Saying this he cut the call and sent Abhijeet a photo of Dr. Salunkhe closed inside a coffin with tied hands and legs... Soon a car arrived and driver giving the key to Abhijeet walked off... While Abhijeet sat in the car and started driving...
__________________________________________

                Here team reached their destination... They hid themselves behind trees and kept an eye on the goons... Police had also arrived by then and all were ready taking their positions... Vikrant arrived... And just as he got down the encounter started... The open land seemed no less than a war zone... Gun shots everywhere and blood on the ground... Team caught Vikrant and some other goons alive while some died in the encounter... Police took them away... Abhijeet's plan was successful!!! Vikrant couldn't activate the bomb and 9000 lives were saved... But the hero of the story was still missing... His life still under danger...
__________________________________________

           Abhijeet was speeding on the road... He was trying to go away from the city... There was a bomb in the car... So that there could be no chance of his survival... But Abhijeet was fearless... His only aim to take the car away from the city so that it takes only one life that is his and does not harm anyone else!
__________________________________________

             Daya reached the place of encounter... Took off his disguise while team informed him of the happenings...

Daya - Great! (Looking around) Abhijeet kaha hai?

Freedy - Sir woh Abhijeet sir hume raste mai mile the... Unhe chot bhi lagi thi... Phir unhone hume yaha aane ka order diya aur hum aa gaye!

Daya - Raste mai mila tha!? Lekin kyu? Woh yaha kyu aaya!

              Taking out his cellphone he called Abhijeet... He face bearing expressions of worry and anxiety...
               Here on the other side Abhijeet was driving speedily on an empty road... His phone ringing on the passenger seat... He looked at the screen... Saw Daya's name flashing but did not pick up the call... He wouldn't be able to lie to Daya! He would catch him in no time... And if Daya came to know that he was heading towards death then he wouldn't let him go! He had to save Dr. Salunkhe today... He couldn't pick up Daya's phone!
                Daya's worry turned to fear! Why was he fearing his brain asked... There was nothing wrong... The plan was successful! His heart told whispered that noo... Abhijeet was in danger! He called again but got the very same result... Abhijeet wouldn't pick up his phone!

Daya - Abhijeet please phone uthao!!! For god sake pleaseeeee!!!
__________________________________________

*Hospital*

              ACP sir was sitting on his bed... Sitting? No... Was made to sit on his bed... By Insp Freedy and Sub Insp Pankaj and Sub Insp Purvi who had ordered ACP Prayduman to sit idle while they went to fulfill their duties! He was restless... He didn't know why but he felt that something was wrong... But what he didn't know... Tarika was sitting on the couch watching him... She was told to not let ACP sir move! In restlessness ACP sir took a glass of water and gulped it down in a single breath... He was keeping the glass back when Dr. Avinash hastily entered inside his room...

ACP - Kya hua Dr. Avinash? App itne tension mai kyu hai?

Avinash - Sir woh abhi abhi Abhijeet sir ka phone aaya tha mujhe... Woh keh rahe the Salunkhe sir ki jaan kathre mai hai... Unhone kaha ki mai appse kahu ki unhe bacha le!

ACP - Salunkhe ki jaan kathre mai hai!!! Aur... Aur Abhijeet aur daya? Woh dono theek toh hai na? Kuch bataya Abhijeet ne appko?

Avinash - Woh toh mujhe kuch nahi bataya sir! Woh bohot jaldi mai the... Sirf Salunkhe sir ke bare mai batake phone cut kar diya

           Getting from the bed he quickly changed... Dr. Avinash and Tarika constantly telling him to inform the team as it wasn't right for him to stress out physically and mentally as of now... But who dares to stop ACP Prayduman in his fiercest mode and determined to save his friend... He left the hospital and started with his investigation... Tarika helped him out in everything she could... Getting clues here and there he reached the place where Salunkhe sir was kept captive...
__________________________________________

              Abhijeet was driving straight but his vision was sticking to his phone... Daya's name still flashing on it after 18 missed calls... He wanted to pick up the phone... And talk to Daya for one last time... His heart continuously prompting that only for a second? He could cut the call after only hearing that 'Hello'... No! His brain ordered... Won't the fear in Daya's voice stop him? Won't he give into the teary voice of his brother? And his heart kept aside its wish... His phone rang again for the 19th time! And once again a silent request from his heart! In his mind he recalled all the memories he spent with his team... The day he entered CID... Daya's stupid yet cute attempts to make him smile... Abhijeet's ignorance that would make him sad and how Abhijeet would finally smile to see him happy... He didn't know why... But even in those days he couldn't help but wanted to see Daya happy... The fatherly gaze of ACP sir from the cabin... Who managing to keep a straight face used to admire the sweet bond between his two precious gems... The whole team knowing that he was staring except the one who used to stare thinking that he wasn't caught... Maybe ACP sir still didn't know that they all knew about it! Abhijeet laughed at the thought! The way Freedy fought for him every single time... Teams support that he got every single time... Daya hand that never slipped off his shoulder and ACP sir's blessings that never let him weep alone... Dr. Salunkhe's teasing replies and the way they fought over the silliest things... But still wished other in the hardest of the wins... In his heart he thanked god for this wonderful family... While making a silent wish of wanting to see his family once before he dies... He knew it wasn't possible but he had no regrets... He had a wonderful 20 years... With the bestest of the people one could ever get... The ringing of the phone once again breaking his thoughts... And once again it was his adamant brother who was still not ready to leave his hand... He was near... Near to his destination... Destination? No! He was near his death... The road had a dead end that finished on a cliff... Go ahead and fall into the valley... So deep that getting even the dead remains would not be possible! No more time! Daya wouldn't be able to stop him now! He could see the end of the road... His voice only for a second please? His heart requested one last time and his brain finally replied affirmative... He picked up his phone and picking up the call attached the device to his ear...

Daya - Abhi!!!

            Yes he was worried... He was teary... Not even a word to stop him but Abhijeet felt a rope pulling him back to life... His Daya was crying... He wanted to wipe his tears... Tell him that he was still with him and would forever be... But the end was near... End of the road as well as the end of his life... But!!!! But what his eyes saw he couldn't believe... Daya was standing on the cliff at the end of the road... A step back and he would fall down into the darkness... What on earth was he doing here!? He pressed the horn with all his strength... But Daya won't budge... He was only a few meters away... The road was one way... No place to move aside... He started sweating... His hands shivering... He wasn't afraid of death... Never ever he was... But he was afraid of loosing Daya! Even if they would both die he was afraid of taking Daya with him... He picked up the phone... Which was still connected... And in a shivering voice he said...

Abhijeet - Daya dur hat!!! Pleaseeeeee (He couldn't make out Daya's expressions but he knew that Daya was smiling)

Daya - Nahi boss... Agar jiyege toh saath mai... Marege toh bhi saath mai... Agle janam mai phir pareshan jo karna hai tumhe... Akele kaise jane du?

            In the next few seconds what happened Abhijeet didn't know... The car fell down the cliff and he was lying on the ground... On the road... His head bleeding... He had jumped out of the car! Daya said 'jiyege toh saath mai' and he knew that if he wanted Daya to live he had to save his own self! He didn't find the strength in himself to get up... But looking around he found Daya lying at a distance of few meters from him! Daya then walked back to Abhijeet... And forwarded his hand which Abhijeet refused to catch hold off! He was angry and Daya knew this... What kind of a stupid man does this thing! Daya held his ears and made a cute face which Abhijeet could never deny... Knowing that Abhijeet's anger had lowered Daya once again tried his luck and forwarded his hand towards Abhijeet... And as he expected Abhijeet held it... But instead off getting up he pulled Daya down! And getting up himself started angrily at a shocked Daya!

Abhijeet - Pagal ho kya tum? Agar mai gadi se nahi kudta toh?

Daya - Toh mai abhi baghwan se chatting karne ke baad swarg mai tumhari daat kha raha hota!

             Abhijeet couldn't help smiling... Daya!!! This man could make him laugh anytime anywhere!!! How! He didn't know... Remembering something he turned to Daya but before he could frame his question Daya answered...

Daya - Dr. Salunkhe safe hai... ACP sir ne bacha liya unhe... Aur Aakash bhi ko bhi pakad liya hai sir ne... Team ne unn terrorists ko pakad liya hai... Aur police ne Vikrant ki interrogation bhi shuru kar di hai... Aur jald hi woh inn sab ke piche ka joh mastermind hai uska naam bhi bata hi dega... Mujhe ACP sir ke bare mai Dr. Avinash ne bataya aur uske baad maine ACP sir ko contact karke sab pata kar liya tha... Aur rahi baat tumahari, toh woh maine mobile company mai phone karke tumahara phone track kiya aur yaha aa gaya!

Abhijeet - Mujhse pehle kaise aaya tu yaha pe?

Daya - Gadi se!

Abhijeet - Daya! (In a warning tone)

Daya - Bata raha hu na... Daat kyu rahe ho! Woh tum toh kabhi gadi nahi chalate na... Humasha mai hi chalata hu toh mujhe bohot sare short cuts pata hai jo tumhe nahi pata! (with a smirk)

Abhijeet - Hmm

Daya - Ab mujhe toh uthao!!

             He said forwarding his hand which Abhijeet held and pulled him up... They sat in Daya's car and drove off... Again the awkward silence making a room in the car... The silence which Daya hated... The guilt that Daya would never let Abhijeet drift in...

Daya - Boss ek sawal puchu?

Abhijeet - Haa?

Daya - Agar ajj mai tumahari gadi ke samne aake khada nahi hota phir bhi tum gadi se kud kar apni jaan bacha sakte the na!

Abhijeet - Haa bacha sakta tha... Lekin maine woh socha hi nahi!

Daya - Kyu?

Abhijeet - Woh idea aaya hi nahi toh kya kar sakta hu?

Daya - Mere samne aakar khade hone se idea aa gaya tumhe?

Abhijeet - Tum kehna kya chahte ho?

Daya - Yehi ki tum mujhse kitna pyar karte ho yeh tum jante tak nahi ho! Phir kyu jo mere saath hua uska zimedar kudh ko samjhte ho?

Abhijeet - Kyuki uss din woh goli maine chalayi thi!

Daya - Tumahare kapte hue haat uss din bhi nazar aaye the mujhe! Wahi haat jo ajj tak kabhi nahi kape woh uss din kape the! Agar tumhe mujhe marna hi hota toh ajj uss khai mai hum dono saath marte... Halat galat the Abhijeet tum nahi!

Abhijeet - Waqt lagega Daya... Inn sab bato ko bhulane mai... Bohot waqt lagega!

Daya - (cheerfully) Uski chinta tum mat karo... Time se mai nipat lunga... Tum toh ACP sir ki chinta karo... Beauro pauch chuke hai hum... Ab tum daat khane ke liye ready raho!

               Climbing the beauro stairs they stared at the logo of CID... The logo which proudly shined in the sun light... Proud of the people who represented it and worked hard for its glory! They walked inside, TOGETHER!!! After three long months... Team was already present there... That majestic walk they were all used to... Smiling with tears they welcomed duo... Standing up in respect... While duo smiling at them lovingly... With a beautiful smile dancing on their face... Yes! They were back... They were back where they belonged... With the people they loved! They all went near Abhijeet... While Freedy hugged him crying... Abhijeet silently patted his back...

Freedy - Sir mai appse bohot naraz hu! Aisa kon karta hai! Appko kitna miss kiya maine appko pata bhi hai...

Abhijeet - Kyu? Meri atma toh yahi thi tum logo ke saath! Phir kyu miss kiya mujhe! Aree haa... Tum meri atma se dar ke bhaag gaye hoge na... Isiliye miss kiya... Samjh gaya... Samjh gaya

Freedy - Sir!!! (He complained while parting away)
Pankaj - Dekho Freedy sir ajj mai Abhijeet sir ki team hu... App unko kuch nahi bol sakte!

Abhijeet - Lo ab toh mai pakka jit gaya! CID ka pehalwan jo meri team mai aa gaya! Freedy ab toh tum gaye!

Purvi - Humne appko bohot miss kiya sir! Woh natak karne ki kya zarurat thi!

Abhijeet - Zaruri tha tabhi toh kiya na... Am sorry! (He apologized to all the team members)

Daya - Agar Abhijeet sir se milap ho gaya ho toh Daya naam ka ek prani yaha par maujud hai! Koi usse bhi dekh lo!

Salunkhe (entering inside just now) - Kon mere Daya bache ko ignore kar raha hai haa? Ignore hi karna hai toh Abhijeet karo na!

Daya - Dekha... Sirf Salunkhe sir ko mera khyal hai... Aur koi mujhse pyar nahi karta! (He said moving behind Dr. Salunkhe)

Abhijeet - Acha jaa nahi karta! Kya karega!

Salunkhe - Woh kuch nahi karega! Karege Dr. Avinash...

Abhijeet - Hain? Woh kaha se bich mai aa gaye!

Avinash - (Entering the beauro) Sir beauro mai toh Salunkhe sir laye hai lekin inn sab ke bich apphi laye the... Ab chaliye appki dressing karni hai!

Abhijeet - Chaliye!

            After a few moments Abhijeet came back into the beauro with Dr. Avinash after getting his wounds cleaned and dressed... Till then ACP sir came out of the cabin who was until now busy in some formalities...

Abhijeet - Thank you Dr. Avinash... Thank you from bottom of my heart... Hum teeno ki jaan bachayi hai appne... Kaise appka shukriyada karu samjh nahi aa raha... Appko underground rehna pada... Appki jaan ko bhi kathra tha... Lekin jab jab hume appki zarurat padi appne ek baar bhi apne bare mai nahi socha aur humari help ki...

ACP - Yes Dr. Avinash woh kehte hai na ki koi bhi kaam upar wale ki marzi ke bina nahi hota... Shayad ussi ne appko bejha tha humare liye! Doctor ka toh theek apne aur bhi bohot kuch kiya joh apki responsibility shayad thi hi nahi... Thank you

Avinash - Sir kaisi baate kar rahe hai app... App logo ne jo bhi kiya desh ke liye kiya... Apni jaan dene se bhi ek baar bhi piche nahi hatte app log... App hum sab desh wasiyo ke liye toh karte hai yeh sab... Kya humara itna bhi farz nahi banta ki ho sake utni madat kare app logo ki... Kushi hoti hai sir jab sochte hai ki ajj humne apne liye nahi kisi aur ke liye kuch kiya hai... Thank you for considering me worth of your trust... Doctor hu sir yeh toh nahi keh sakta ki zarurat pade toh yaad karna... Kaash app logo meri kabhi zarurat na pade... Lekin phir bhi yaad karte rahiyega sir

Daya - Ab Abhijeet aur sir ne sab kuch keh hi diya hai... Still thank you once again

Avinash - My pleasure sir... Ab chalta hu... Meri ek surgery scheduled hai... Jana padega... Thank you!

              And smiling he walked off... Having sweet memories of these few moments that he shared with this family... While team looking at him with pride and respect as he was one of the most selfless civilians they had ever met!
               As he went out of vision ACP sir turned his gaze towards Abhijeet... And Abhijeet feeling the gaze upon him faced him...

Abhijeet - Yes sir

ACP - Yes sir? Koi kaam mujhse puch kar karte ho kya tum jo yes sir? Rajeev ka letter mila.... Decide kiya ki ab toh yeh case mai hi solve karuga... Woh bhi akele... Aur nikal pade! Tum toh superhero ho na... Ki na chot lagegi, na dard hoga aur na hi koi taklif!

Abhijeet - (gazing down) Sorry sir... Agli baar

ACP - (cutting him in between) Agli baar bhi yeh hoga... Aur baat mai likh kar de sakta hu!

Abhijeet - (making a baby face) Sir sorry na...

ACP - Ha ha... Theek hai... Ab aisi shakal mat banao... Aur apne iss bhai ko lekar ghar jao aaram karne... Teen mahino se gayab the ab kamse kam 3 din toh aaram kar hi lena... Aur Daya Abhijeet ka khayal rakhna

Daya - Ji sir...

ACP - Aur haa... Ajj sham ko hum sab Abhijeet ke ghar pe khana khane aa rahe hai... Magar khana Daya banayega kyuki Abhijeet ko chot lagi hai!

Daya - (in shock) Sir!!! Kisi restaurant chalte hai na... Mai kyu!?

ACP - Na mai bahar ka khana kha sakta hu na Abhijeet! Aur mujhe nahi lagta ki Dr. Avinash ne abtak tumhe bhi permission di hai... Toh bahar jane ka toh sawal hi nahi uthta! So khana tum banaoge!

Daya - Ok sir (he said sadly)

            Abhijeet and Daya started moving out while others were giggling at Daya's expressions... While in between Daya stopped and said with a wide grin

Daya - Haa sir yaad aaya! Woh ghar Abhijeet ka hai na! Toh mujhe kya pata ki saman kaha rakha hua hai... Mai khana kaise banauga sir?!

ACP - Wahi toh Daya! Ghar Abhijeet ka hai... Toh tumhe behtar pata hoga ki kya rakha hai kyuki Abhijeet ke ghar mai Abhijeet se zayada toh tum rehte ho aur tumahare ghar mai tumse zayada Abhijeet rehta hai! Hai na?

             Laughter controlling capacity of the team was over until then and burst out with laughter... While Abhijeet taunted Daya saying

Abhijeet - Chal Daya ab tere sare bahane ki list katham ho gayi hai... Ab tujhe khana banana hi padega... Aur please woh khane layak hona chahiye!

Daya - Chalo!!!

            And he went away stamping his feet while team smiled looking at duo and admired this sweetest bond their seniors shared!
             While ACP sir went inside his cabin and looked at the duo's smiling picture set as wallpaper... He smiled looking at them making a silent prayer to god requesting him to keep his most precious gems happy... While Dr. Salunkhe from outside shouted at him saying...

Salunkhe - Mr. ACP! Kaam nipata ke ghar jayiye... Doctor se zabardasti discharge liya hai appne agar app bhul gaye ho toh... Aur liya bhi hai ki nahi god knows... Apne Abhi Daya ko baad mai nihar lena... Koi nahi leja raha tumahare beto ko tumse dur!

The End!

          So the story ends! With lots of tears but lots of smiles... It has been a wonderful journey that i travelled... Travelled along with all you readers... You all have showered me with your unconditional love and support... I have no words to thank you all... You all well understood my condition... My late updates and my disappearance due to my boards... I feel blessed... Couldn't have got better readers than you all... Thank you... Do review Heart vs Brain for one last time... And i will be back very very soon with my next story 'THE PRESENT'!!! Thank you once again