The Present - Chapter 22

               Mai aa gayi!!! Exam katham and am here! Iss chapter mai no recap cause am lazy to type *faceplam* but sach bolu toh zarurat bhi nahi hai iss chapter mai recap ki. Recap next chapter mai mil jayega! Tab tak enjoy!!! Mai last mai aaugi. Aur intezar karne ki zarurat nahi hai!

                              Chapter 22

Voice - Koi chalaki karne ki karne ki koshish mat karna

               Slowly Purvi raised her hands up when she heard again...

Voice - Mudo piche!

               And as she turned back slowly completely ready for any action that she might need to take she saw Insp Dev standing there along with his team who was himself shocked seeing her here and said still aiming his gun at her...

Dev - Sub Insp Purvi? App yaha kya kar rahi hai?

Purvi - Woh... Woh actually mai...

Dev - Nahi nahi. Rehne dijiye. Iss sawal ka jawab ab app sidha Shrikant sir (IG) ko hi dijiyega! Aur ha apke Abhijeet sir aur Daya sir ko bhi bula lijiye. Iske pehle ki mai apko contempt of court ke jurm mai arrest karu!

Purvi - Mai yaha koi investigation karne nahi aayi thi...

Dev - (cutting her in between) Toh kya karne aayi thi app? Iss bungalow ko humne seal kiya hai. Seal toh apne door pe dekhi hi hogi! Aur dekhi thi tabhi toh yu khidki se andar aayi app? (Little loudly) Court ka order tha na ki CID mai se koi bhi iss case ko investigate nahi karega. Aur na hi humari investigation mai dakhal dega! Toh phir?

Purvi - Mai yaha kisi ka picha karte hue aayi thi.

Dev - Par mujhe toh yaha aur koi nahi dikh raha! Kisi ka picha karte hue aayi thi app ki apke ACP sir ke khilaf milne wale sabuto ko mitane?

Purvi - Dekhiye...

Dev - (cutting in between) Ab jo bhi dekhna hai IG sir dekhege. App ke liye behtar yehi hoga ki app apke Abhijeet sir aur Daya sir ko phone karke bula le unke office mai.

*Mumbai, 3 hours later*

              Abhijeet, Daya and Purvi were standing in IG Shrikant Pandit's office while he stared at them with a burning glare... He first turned to Purvi and said...

IG Pandit - Kyu gayi thi tum waha?

               Not knowing what to say she maintained silence while IG Pandit roared again as...

IG Pandit - Am asking something Miss Purvi! Answer me!

Purvi - Sir... Woh...

               But before she could say anything Abhijeet cut in between and said...

Abhijeet - Sir humare kehne pe gayi thi yeh. Purvi ki isme koi galti nahi hai.

IG Pandit - (turning to him) Aur kyu bejha tha tumne isse?

Abhijeet - Kisi ka picha kar rahi thi...

IG Pandit - Picha kar rahi thi ki saboot mitane gayi thi?

Purvi - Nahi sir... Mai toh bas...

IG Pandit - (loudly) Am not talking to you Insp Purvi! Tumhare seniors ko tumhe bachane ka bohot shok hai na. So let them answer me! You may leave!

              Purvi for once glanced at Abhijeet and Daya and seeing them standing there with determination she turned to IG Pandit and said...

Purvi - No sir... Am fine

              But this time it was Daya who stopped her in between without looking at her...

Daya - Purvi leave!

Purvi - Par sir?

Daya - (now looking at her) I said, leave!

               Having no other option Purvi left the cabin making a silent prayer in her heart for her seniors.
               Here as she left IG Pandit once again turned to duo with...

IG Pandit - Mai akhiri baar puch raha hu kyu bejha tha usse Mr. Arun ke ghar pe?

Daya - Humne usse waha bejha nahi tha sir. Purvi kisi ka picha kar rahi thi. Picha karte karte waha pohch gayi! Isme uski kya galti hai?

IG Pandit - Kiska picha kar rahi thi? Aur kyu?

Abhijeet - Sir am sorry lekin yeh hum apko nahi bata sakte.

IG Pandit - (angrily) Abhijeet tum...

Abhijeet - Sir yeh case court mai chal raha hai. Defense lawyer mai hu! And this very thing gives me the right to investigate this case.

IG Pandit - Beshak tum iss case ko investigate kar sakte ho! Par jis jagah ko SIT ne seal kiya tha waha tumhe jane ki izazat kisne di? If you are forgetting Sr. Insp Abhijeet or if i should say Advocate Abhijeet, court ka order tha ki CID iss case mai dakhal nahi degi. Agar Insp Purvi Mr. Arun ke ghar mai gayi thi yeh baat court mai keh di na maine toh tum logo ke saath kya hoga shayad mujhe yeh tum logo ko batane ki zarurat nahi hai!

Daya - Sir as a CID officer hum waha jaa nahi sakte aur as defence hume iss case ko investigate karna hi hoga. Hum kare toh kare kya sir?

IG Pandit - Kyu karna padega? SIT kar rahi hai na investigate? Phir tum logo ko kya zarurat hai?

              Abhijeet angrily whispered to himself as...

Abhijeet - Woh toh dikh hi raha hai kaise kar rahi hai investigate...

             But to his bad luck IG Pandit heard him and asked sternly as...

IG Pandit - Kya dikh raha hai bhai? Hume bhi toh batao?

             Daya now tried to interrupt being worried for Abhijeet as he knew what was to follow as he saw the fire in IG Pandit's eyes and he already knew Abhijeet won't stop now...

Daya - Kuch nahi sir... Woh Abhijeet bas...

Abhijeet - Nahi Daya... Bolne de mujhe! (To IG Pandit) Toh app hi batayiye sir SIT kar rahi hai kya unbaised investigation? Maan kar hi baith gaye hai mano ki ACP sir gunhegar hai! Unke ghar se leke CID beauro mai unke cabin ki bhi talashi li jaa chuki hai aur hum chahe toh Mr. Arun ke ghar kisi ka picha karte bhi chale jaye toh woh galat ho gaya? Vishwas nahi hai humpar? Mat karo! Par hume humari baat sabit karne ka mauka toh do! Pakad kar daal diya hume samundar mai tairne ko aur phir haat pair bandh kar aur bolte ho ki aa jao tair ke bahar, apni jaan bachane ka pura hak hai tumhe!

IG Pandit - Court ka order hai! Judge sahab se puchna tum yeh baat. Mujhse kehkar kuch fayeda nahi hoga! Mera kaam court ka order follow karna hai! Mai woh karuga. Aur rahi baat aajki, toh tum dono ka aur sub insp Purvi ka past record dekh kar mai abhi tum logo par koi action nahi le raha hu. Believing what you said ki woh waha investigation ke liye nahi gayi thi picha kar rahi thi. Lekin agar mujhe pata chala ki this was not the case phir toh tum logo ka faisla court karega! Also make sure nothing of this sort happens again! Nahi toh suspension is the minimum thing that you both will face! (After a moment) You may leave now!

                Whispering a low but confident 'sir' duo left the cabin and just as they came out they saw purvi looking at them with worried expressions...

Purvi - Sir kya kaha Shrikant sir ne?

Daya - Kuch nahi... Bas normal baate...

                He said smiling lightly to relax a too nervous Purvi while Purvi knowing that 'normal baate' was definitely not what IG would have said...

Purvi - Sir please batayiye na!

Daya - Kuch nahi Purvi sach mai. Bas humara previous record dekhkar chod diya. Aur warning di hai ki aisa kuch wapis nahi hona chahiye. Nothing much. Tum tension mat lo. Relax!

Purvi - Sir kaise tension na lu sir! Sab meri hi galti thi. Am really really sorry sir! Mujhe bungalow mai jana hi nahi chahiye tha. Aur gayi bhi toh dekhke nahi gayi ki Insp Dev andar hai. Sab meri wajh se hua sir. Itna sunna pada app logo ko aur toh aur warning bhi! Am sorry sir...

Abhijeet - Aree aree bas! Kuch nahi hua hai. Itna toh normal hai yaar. Jaise jaise kaam humne kiye hai na yeh sab toh kuch bhi nahi hai! Dar toh tab lagta tha jab ACP sir bulate the humare aisa kuch karne ke baad. Baki sab toh theek hai! Chalo chalte hai. Beauro bhi jana hai!

               Giving a sweet smile Abhijeet started walking with Purvi and as took only two steps ahead Daya called him as...

Daya - Abhi? Tumhare pair ko kya hua hai?

Abhijeet - Aree nahi Daya... Kuch nahi. Bas woh seedhi se pair slip ho gaya tha

Daya - Aise kaise pair slip ho gaya tha? Aur kaha hua?

Abhijeet - Suabh ghar pe hi ho gaya tha yaar. Kuch nahi mamuli si moch hai! Tu tension mat le

Daya - Chal nahi paa rahe ho theek se aur mamuli si moch hai! Aur subah ki baat tum mujhe abhi bata rahe ho!

Abhijeet - (looking at his watch, innocently) 1 hi toh baje hai Daya... Abhi bhi toh almost subah hi hai na!

Daya - Abhijeet tum!

Abhijeet - Acha acha sorry mere bhai. Ab toh pata chal gaya na tujhe! Aur waise bhi mamuli moch hai yaar! 1/2 din mai theek ho jayegi. Chalo ab! Beauro mai Freddy aur Pankaj kab se akele hai.

                Smiling lightly at the cute friendship of her seniors Purvi walked ahead leaving Abhijeet and Daya behind and as Daya held Abhijeet's hand to support him even though Abhijeet didn't need any help Daya remembered ACP sir's words in the morning as 'Abhijeet ki jaan kathre mai hai' he asked Abhijeet as...

Daya - Waise pair slip hua kaise tumhara?

Abhijeet - Yaar theek hu na mai!

Daya - Yeh mere sawal ka jawab nahi tha...

Abhijeet - Aree yaar... Pata nahi kaha se seedhi pe pani gir gaya tha. Mai phone pe baat kar raha tha toh dhayan nahi tha. Toh ho gaya pair slip.

Daya - Jab pani gira tha tab pocha kyu nahi? (Little angrily)

Abhijeet - Mujhe pata hi nahi chala ki kab gira. Infact mai toh kudh soch raha tha ki waha pani aaya kaha se! (Looking at Daya's worried expressions) Baat kya hai Daya? Kuch problem hai? Tum pareshan lag rahe ho? Ajj jab subah phone kiya tha tab bhi pareshan lag rahe the!

Daya - Nahi toh! Mujhe kya problem hogi? Kuch bhi toh nahi hai!!

Abhijeet - Sach mai?

Daya - Ha yaar Abhi. Tum kuch zayada hi soch rahe ho. Kuch nahi hai.

              By now they had already reached the car and hence keeping the topic aside they settled inside and drove off to beauro.

*Veer's office, lunch break*

             Daya entered inside and silently sat on the chair waiting for Veer to finish his talk with his assistant... And soon wrapping it up Veer while removing his lawyer's coat as asked him as...

Veer - Kya baat hai Daya? Achanak milna tha tumhe? Sab theek hai na?

Daya - Ha ha. Sab theek hai. Yaar mujhe bas itna puchna tha ki kya kisi tarah se hum parso jo court ki hearing hai usse aage nahi badwa sakte kya?

Veer - Kyu? Tumhe date aage badwani kyu hai?

Daya - Aree yaar woh... (Thinking of a reason) Ha woh court mai judge sahab ne order jo diya tha ki agli hearing mai koi pukhta saboot pesh karna hai! Hum toh ab tak kuch dhoond hi nahi paye na! Kya karege?

Veer - Ha par theek hai na. Uske liye abhi se appeal karne ki kya zarurat hai? Court mai hi request kar lenge. Waise bhi mujhe lagta nahi hai ki SIT yaa Arya ko bhi koi saboot mila hai. So judge sahab waise hi date aage badha denge!

Daya - Ha par phir bhi! Risk lena hi kyu hai? Agar unko kuch mil gaya hoga toh? Hum pehle se hi date le lete hai na aage ki!

Veer - Dekho mere hisab se toh isme koi risk hai nahi! Par phir bhi agar aisa karna hai toh hume Abhijeet ke through karna hoga. Woh lawyer hai na!

Daya - Nahi nahi! Abhijeet ke through nahi! Aur koi rasta nahi hai kya?

Veer - Aur koi rasta toh nahi hai... Par tum Abhijeet ke through kyu nahi karna chahte? Baat kya hai yaar?

Daya - Nahi woh mujhe pata hai ki woh manega nahi!

Veer - Kyu nahi manega?

Daya - Mujhe pata hai na bas ki nahi manega woh!

              Veer was very confused with Daya's behaviour while Daya was very worried now. Time was running out! He was pretty sure that the water on the staircase of Abhijeet's house didn't come out of the blue. It was planned! And Daya knew how dangerous this could be if it was intended to be that way! Someone who had the access to Abhijeet's house and someone who made ACP sir want to give up on investigation of this case... He knew how dangerous this someone could be! And on top of it ACP sir had already decided to accept himself guilty of all the allegations on him in the hearing that was scheduled the day after tomorrow! He was now struck from all sides!
              Veer kept a hand on Daya's hand that was kept on the table to gain his attention and asked him...

Veer - Baat kya hai Daya? Akhir hua kya hai?

               Leaving a sigh Daya brushed away the topic with...

Daya - Tera phone dena...

Veer - (confusedly forwarding his phone) Tere phone ko kya hua?

Daya - Kuch nahi. Woh ek khabri ko call karna hai. Woh abhi ek gang mai ghusa hai toh mere number se karna risky hai. Sab khabar hoti hai uske paas. Ho sakta hai iss case mai bhi help karde!

Veer - Oh acha. Toh landline se karle! Pata nahi phone mai kuch problem ho gayi hai. Virus hai shayad. Pata nahi kya kya gadbad hoti rehti hai ajjkal

Daya - Abhi toh naya liya tha na tune? Iphone X bhi kharab ho gaya?

Veer - Aree yaar. Pata nahi... Jab liya tha theek hi chal raha tha. Abhi 1/2 hafto se pareshan kar raha hai! Time bhi nahi mil raha ki jake dikhalu service center mai!

              Daya who was already holding Veer's phone in his hand did something in it for 5 minutes and his expression from that of worry changed to a shocked one! Seeing this Veer asked him...

Veer - Kya hua? Kuch mila kya?

Daya - Tumhara phone hacked hai Veer!

Veer - What? Par kisi ko mere phone ko hack karke kya milega?

Daya - Ab woh toh tumhe hi pata... Ek minute! Tum ajj bhi apne sare cases ke personal notes apne phone mai banate ho?

Veer - Ha! Har jagah pen aur paper lekar nahi jaa sakte na. Toh mai kuch details bhool na jau isilye phone ke notes mai likh ke rakhta hu!

Daya - Yeh Arya wale case ki details bhi likh rahe ho?

Veer - Ha! (After a second when Daya didn't say anything) Par baat kya hai? Iss case ki details ke liye hack kiya gaya hai kya mera phone?

Daya - Ha

Veer - Par tum yeh itne sure kaise ho?

Daya - Woh sab chod tu. Bas itna samjh le ki apna phone abhi kisi expert ko mat dikhana! Koi hai jo humpe nazar rakhna chahta hai. Directly rakhta toh hume pata chal jata isilye usne yeh tarika chuna jisse usse bina kisi mehnat ke sari information mil gayi!

Veer - Par mai kisi expert ko dikhau kyu nahi?

Daya - Kyuki mai nahi chahta ki usse pata chale ki hume pata hai ki tera phone hack kiya gaya hai! Hum yeh rasta uske liye band karnge toh woh dusra dhund lega! Tu ab bhi iss case ki aur tere baki cases ki bhi sab information isme note karna... Except the important parts! Usse shak nahi hona chahiye!

Veer - Lekin hum kisi expert ke zariye trace bhi toh karwa sakte hai ki phone hack kiya kisne hai aur kaha se! Hume isse bohot clues mil sakti hai!

Daya - Mushkil hai. Yeh jaise tera phone hack hua hai na woh trace nahi ho sakta. Ek case mai we have already seen this kind of hacking. Trace nahi ho sakti yeh! Aur ek baat! Abhijeet yaa team mai se kisi ko kuch nahi batayega tu! Yeh bhi nahi ke ajj hum mile the!

Veer - Kyu?

Daya - Maine bola isilye!

Veer - Aree par...

Daya - Veer please! Kuch wajh hai tabhi toh bol raha hu na!

Veer - Acha ok... Nahi batauga par yaar am really really sorry! Meri wajh se humari puri investigation leak hoti gayi! Pata nahi kon humpar nazar rakh raha hai. Sab meri wajh se! Am... Am really sorry yaar! Mujhe pata hota toh mai kabhi aisa kuch...

Daya - Its ok yaar. Koi baat nahi. Waqt par pata chal gaya. Kafi hai. Isme teri koi galti hai hi nahi! Tu tension mat le mai dekh lunga.

Veer - Par phir bhi yaar. Am sorry!

Daya - Koi galti nahi hai teri. You need not feel guilty! Samjha? Chal ab lunch time ho gaya hai tu lunch kar. Mai bhi chalta hu! Waise hi late ho gaya. Chal bye. Aur zayada sochna mat. Bas jitna bola hai utna hi karna!

Veer - Hmm...

                Leaving his office Daya sat back in his car and drove off to beauro. Hence finding ACP sir's words of 'Tum logo par nazar rakhi jaa rahi hai' true... The remaining day went off being busy in other cases.

*Night, Abhijeet's house*

               Abhijeet was busy cooking dinner for himself when the doorbell rang gaining his attention. Limping a little as his leg still hurt he wiped his hands and opened the door to find Daya standing on his door with a small bag in his hand. Before he could say anything Daya said while entering inside...

Daya - Khana bana rahe the? Tum baitho mai banata hu...

Abhijeet - Tu khana banayega?

Daya - Kyu? Roz toh banata hu na mai ghar pe!

Abhijeet - Ha hafte ke 4 din mere ghar pe khane ke baad tu konsa khana banata hai bhai 'roz' ghar pe?

Daya - Huh! Toh tumhe kya problem hai mere yaha khane se! Mere Abhi ka ghar hai na! Mera Abhi banake khilata hai mujhe! Tumhe kyu itni jalan ho rahi hai? Aur waise bhi mai tumse acha khana banata hu!

Abhijeet - Mujhe problem kuch nahi hai mahan Chef Sr. Insp Daya ji. Lekin app mujhe batane ka kasht karege ki ajj apko achanak mujh bichare pe daya kaha se aa gayi ki app mere liye khana banane aa gaye?

Daya - Woh kya hai na tumhe toh pata hi hai mera naam Daya hai! Toh apne naam ki hi tarah mai bohot dayalu hu! So maine socha ki pair tute hue bichare Abhijeet pe thodi si krupa kar hi dete hai unke liye dinner banake. And don't worry yeh Daya ab kuch aur din tak aap pe daya barsata reahega! (With a baba like expression)

Abhijeet - Abe nautanki! Bol chup chap kya hua hai? Tu bhi janta hai ki yeh mamuli si moch hai. Itna tension kyu le raha hai tu subah se? Yaha tak ki saman leke mere ghar aa gaya bas iss moch ke chakkar mai!

Daya - Mai kaha koi tension le raha hu!

Abhijeet - Dayaaa (glaring at him)

             Daya turning his eyes away from Abhijeet simply said...

Daya - Tum baitho mai khana banata hu

             And without waiting for a reply he walked away while Abhijeet kept staring at the way Daya had gone wondering what it was that was troubling Daya so much.
             Soon dinner was done mostly in silence... As Daya tried to ignore all conversations knowing it would once again lead to the same topic while Abhijeet thought of not dragging the topic thinking whenever Daya would want to say he would say it himself. Cleaning up the mess both of them left for their respective rooms where Abhijeet made himself busy in preparing himself for the day after tomorrow's court session while Daya was simply sitting on the study table staring blankly at the white notepad lying in front of him. After a minute taking a deep breath he said to himself...

Daya - Chalo bhai Daya... 32 ghante hai tumhare paas... 32 ghanto baad court ki hearing hai... Jaha ACP sir apna na kiya hua gunah bhi kabool kar lenge. Aur investigation bhi akele hi karni padegi woh bhi chup ke! Hmm... Shurwat se shurwat karte hai!

                And closing his eyes Daya rewinded back his memory lane to the day when ACP sir called them for the dinner and for the first time told them about his daughter Arya...

To be continued...

              Hmm... 32 hours Daya sir has! What is he going to do in these 32 hours? How will save ACP sir and Abhijeet both? Especially when Abhijeet is determined to save ACP sir from all blames and ACP is determined to save Abhijeet from life threat no matter it means spoiling his own! And then comes Arya who herself is in danger! Not to forget the warning of IG Shrikant Pandit! Hands tied, time running out and too much of risk! How is Daya sir going to save all his relations?

The Present - Chapter 21

            Knock knock... Koi hai? Hai toh jaldi jaldi chappy pado! Mai last aaugi chapar chapar karne...

                             Chapter 21

*Hotel Hexa*

               After a silent journey of half an hour Abhijeet along with Arya reached the hotel where ACP Arjun was staying. Showing their IDs at reception and entering their names they took the elevator and reached room no 507 where they found ACP Arjun waiting for them. As they rang the doorbell Arjun opened the door and greeted them with...

Arjun - Aao Abhijeet. Kya baat hai iss waqt milna chahte the tum?

Abhijeet - Ha sir... Woh Arya ko kuch baat karni thi apse.

               Arjun looked at Arya who still maintained silence and then said...

Arjun - Aao andar...

              Now both Abhijeet and Arya came inside and settled on the couch that was present in the room. While Arjun himself settled on the one seater in front of them and asked after a minute...

Arjun - Kya loge? Chai? Coffee? Yaa kuch thanda?

Abhijeet - No sir. Thank you. We are fine.

              And once again silence engulfed the hotel room where the other two were waiting for Arya to begin when finally she said in a low voice...

Arya - (to Arjun) App jante hai ki unhone mujhe US kyu bejha tha?

             Arjun who was until now somewhere a little angry on Arya softened a little with her low tone and said...

Arjun - Nahi beta... Tumhari aur Dai maa ki tickets zarur maine hi book karwai thi. Par mujhe Prayduman ne kabhi nahi bataya ki usne tumhe US bejha kyu tha.

Arya - App toh itne saalo se jante hai na unhe? App jante honge na... Ki woh kabhi mujhse milne kyu nahi aaye? Kyu mujhe kabhi India nahi aane diya? Woh pyar karte the na mujhse?

             Her words had a question mark at the end but more than a question, her words had hope evident in them... Hope of listening that her father indeed loved her. Hearing her Arjun smiled lightly and then said...

Arjun - Pyar karta tha? Iss baat ka saboot chahiye tumhe? Beta woh pyar karta tha tabhi toh tumhe US bejha. Aur itne saalo tak mila hi nahi. Mai nahi janta kya! Par koi toh wajh thi. Aur yeh... Yeh koi property ka mamla nahi hai yaar! Kuch toh hua tha jab tum 5 saal ki thi. Jiski wajh se usne tumhe US bejha aur itne saal apne app se dur rakha. Kuch toh tha jo usne kabhi kisi ko bataya hi nahi! ACP Prayduman hai woh. Kabhi kuch bhi bina wajh nahi karta. Uske iss faisle ke piche bhi kuch toh raaz zarur hai!

Arya - (little angrily) Toh woh batate kyu nahi hai woh raaz!

              Insted of Arjun, Abhijeet answered her this time in a cold but meaningful voice...

Abhijeet - Tumne kabhi pucha bhi kaha unse?

              Arya downed her head realising that Abhijeet was right. She had always only assumed things based on what she saw but she never asked him about his side of the story. But then what about the things she saw? What about it? She had come here to find answers to her questions but now she was basically left with more questions. And understanding that Arjun would not be able to help her out in finding those answers she got up and said to Arjun...

Arya - Thank you sir. Ab hum chalte hai...

             Hearing this the other two got up too and Abhijeet after giving a formal handshake to Arjun started leaving behind Arya but as she was about to step out from the door Arjun said...

Arjun - Maine court mai bhi kaha tha beta... Abhi bhi keh raha hu. Apne shak mai itna aage mat chali jana ki jab sach pata chale toh wapis bhi na aa pao! Sach janne ka haq hai tumhe... Aur yeh baat mujhse behtar koi nahi janta ki kitna dard hota hai jab koi apna apse baat chupane lage. Ek waqt jo mera sabse khaas dost tha na usse pichle 22 saal se baat nahi ki maine. Jis raaz ne ajj tumhe adalat pohcha diya ussi raaz ne mujhse bhi mera dost cheena tha! Ha woh galat nazar aa raha hai tumhe. Mujhe bhi aata tha... Aata tha kya ajj bhi galat lagta hai woh mujhe! Par uski uss chuppi ke piche koi wajh toh hogi na! Tabhi toh woh apna sab kuch khone ko tayar hai par sach bolne ko nahi!

              Leaving her to think about it herself Abhijeet left the room. Soon Arya followed him with slow steps still thinking about what Arjun said. She reached the parking where Abhijeet was waiting for her near the car and as she came Abhijeet softly asked her as...

Abhijeet - Chale?

               She nodded her head lightly and started going towards the passenger seat when she heard Abhijeet say...

Abhijeet - Vishwas karogi mera agar mai kahu ki woh tumse bohot pyar karte hai?

               Now this was enough for her... The tears she was holding on from so long finally broke the barrier and started falling down in speed. While she rubbed them away harshly and turning asked Abhijeet little loudly as...

Arya - Toh kyu woh property papers dhoke se sign karwaye the unhone! Sab bhul jaugi mai agar mujhe iss kyu ki wajh mil jaye toh! (Once again wiping her non obedient tears) Mujhe woh property nahi chahiye bhai! Agar sirf yeh property ki baat hoti na toh mai kabhi US chod ke aati hi nahi! Par unka woh... Woh pyar sirf property ke liye tha yeh baat mujhe andar se khaye jaa rahi hai! Woh ek baar bas keh ke dekhte... Meri ajj tak ki jitni earnings hai sab unke naam kar deti mai. Par iss tarah... Iss tarah mujhe cheat karne ki kya zarurat thi? (She angrily looked away and continued lost in her thoughts) Woh mujhse kabhi pyar karte hi nahi the na... Itni buri hu kya mai? Ki kabhi unka dil jeet hi nahi payi. Sab unki tarif karte hai. Kare bhi kyu nahi. Naa jane kitne logo ki jaan bachayi unhone. Desh ke liye apni duty ke liye kya kuch nahi kiya unhone! Phir sirf mere saath hi aisa kyu kiya?! Arjun ji ne kaha tha na ki woh mujhe orphanage chodne gaye the! Toh wahi chod aate na. Mujhe sab kuch dekar kudh ko mujhse cheen lene ka kya matlab hai?

              Her eyes were reflecting something else... No no... Basically reflecting nothing! Nor anger, nor sadness, nor questions, nor the confusion! The only thing they contained were tears. Which were simply flowing down her eyes in speed. But the emptiness in her eyes scared Abhijeet somewhere. No matter how angry he himself was at Arya he could not see her in this condition. Afterall he had called her his sister! Going near her he kept a hand on her head like a elder brother and she without even looking at him hugged him tightly hiding her face in his chest and started crying her heart out. While Abhijeet held her from her shoulders and slowly patted her head to console her... But when even after 5 minutes she didn't stop crying he said caringly...

Abhijeet - Arya... Chalo ab rona band karo. Hum... (Changing his words) Matlab SIT kar rahi hai na investigation iss case ki. Jo bhi hoga samne aa jayega. Tumhe bhi aur hume bhi apne sare sawalo ke jawab mil jayege.

               Separating from him she wiped her eyes to make her vision clear and asked innocently like a kid...

Arya - Sab naraz hai mujhse. Daya bhai bhi... Dai maa bhi... Aur baki sab bhi. App naraz nahi hai?

Abhijeet - (smiling lightly) Naraz koi nahi hai tumse. Bas gussa hai. Mai bhi hu. Kyu nahi houga! Tumhare papa humare bhi toh ACP sir hai. Jis wajh se tum mujhe 'bhai' kehti ho! kaise gussa na hoye hum tumse? Ajj bhi yehi kahuga mai... Tumhe sir ka vishwas karna chahiye tha. Tumhare sawal galat nahi hai. Bas unka jawab dhundne ki jagah jo tumne lizam laga diya na sir pe woh galat tha! (Sighing) Par manogi toh tum toh bhi nahi! Toh tum karo jo tumhe karna hai. Hum woh karege jo hume karna hai! Aur iske pehle ki mai ek evidence bag nikal lu tumhare yeh aasu as a evidence court mai pesh karne ke liye inhe rok lo aur chalo ghar!

               Smiling lightly Arya wiped off her tears and joined Abhijeet on the passenger seat as he was already sitting on the driving wheel now. Starting the car Abhijeet swiftly drove away while once again there was only silence between them. Afterall they were on the opposite sides of the coin representing the opposite sides of the story! The two lawyers who were fighting for what they believed was true! Yes they shared an unsaid bond which was special for both of them but the reason behind the bond that is ACP sir was why they were so close yet far away from each other!

*Beach*

              Daya was sitting on the sand on his kneens. In his hand he was holding a small stick and with help of it he was drawing something on the sand. He was drawing the pattern that was inside the paper cup in which he was handed over the tea by that teenage boy. After a minute of drawing the pattern on the sand he stood up to take a glance at it. And it showed like

.,,..,.. .,,.,,,, .,,...,, ..,.,,,. ..,,,... ..,,..,, ..,,.... ..,.,,,. .,,.,,.,
.,,..,., .,,..,., .,,,.,..

It was basically a combination of dots and commas... A code combination that was known only to him, Abhijeet and ACP sir which they used to send each other some secret information when they were on mission or in a condition from where they could not communicate. And this one was from ACP sir! Shocked at the fact Daya wondered why did ACP sir suddenly contact him when until few days ago he was not ready to utter anything even after constant pressuring by them. But then keeping his thoughts aside Daya got back to the work of decoding the message.

Daya - (thinking) 8... Yeh dots aur commas ka har set 8 ka hai. Phir uske baad thodi si space aur phir next 8 ka set. 8 ka set... Matlab kya ho sakta hai! Pin code toh 6 digits hota hai. Yeh koi address lag bhi nahi raha. Toh phir? Mobile number bhi 10 digits ka hota hai. Kya hoga yeh? (After thinking for a while) Binary code!

(A binary code represents text, computer processor instructions, or any other data using a two-symbol system. The two-symbol system used is often "0" and "1" from the binary number system.)

Daya - Yes binary code mai har alphabet, number yaa symbol 8 digits se express kiya jata hai. Par binary code mai toh sirf 0 aur 1 hi use hota hai! Toh phir yeh! Ha!!! Yeh dots agar 0 hai toh commas 1 ho sakte hai!

              And then he made another pattern on the sand with the help of the stick. Writing every '.' as '0' and every ',' as '1'. It came up as...

01100100 01101111 01100011 00101110 00111000 00110011 00110000 00101110 01101101 01100101 01100101 01110100

Now taking out his phone he searched on the net for 'binary codes for English alphabets' and from that he found that the first code of 01100100 was a small letter 'd', second one 01101111 was small letter 'o', third one 01100011 was small letter 'c'. But fourth one he did not find in alphabets and hence leaving it aside thinking of it as number or some symbol moved to the next one. But same happened with 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. But the next four sets of codes came out to be 'm', 'e', 'e', 't'. So it came out as...

doc____meet

Now to search for the remaining 4 sets in the middle Daya checked for 'binary codes for numbers' and found that 5th, 6th and 7th sets were '8', '3' and '0' respectively. So the code now becoming as...

doc_830_meet

While daya now noticed that the 4th set and the 8th set were same and hence whatever symbol it was... It was same at 4th and 8th place. He searched for 'binary codes for symbols' and found that it was the binary code for '.' So now whole of his code breaking on the sand was looking like...

.,,..,..      -      01100100      -       d
.,,.,,,,.      -      01101111      -       o
.,,...,,       -     01100011       -       c
..,.,,,.       -     00101110       -        .
..,,,...      -      00111000       -       8
..,,..,,      -      00110011       -       3
..,,....      -     00110000       -       0
..,.,,,.       -     00101110       -       .
.,,.,,.,       -     01101101       -       m
.,,..,.,       -     01100101       -       e
.,,..,.,       -     01100101       -       e
.,,,.,..       -     01110100       -       t

Making it as doc.830.meet

Daya - (talking to himself) doc matlab doctor. 830 matlab 8:30 that is time aur meet matlab milo. Par konse doctor ko 8:30 pe milo? Iss case mai toh koi doctor involved hai hi nahi! Sir kehna kya chahte hai? (After a moment) Ek minute! Doctor milo ki jagah shayad kahi yeh toh nahi ki doctor banke milo! Sir ko! Ho sakta hai sir ko kuch batana ho aur lock up mai mujhe toh milne denge nahi isiliye sir ne doctor banke bulaya ho. Par woh mujhe doctor banke bhi kyu milne denge? (Patting his own head) Itna kyu soch raha hai Daya! ACP sir hai woh. Unhone plan kar liya hoga ki unhe doctor ki zarurat kyu padegi. Bas mujhe kal subah 8:30 ko lock up ke bahar pohachna hai. Doctor banke!

              And erasing all that he had written on sand with his hand and throwing the stick away Daya walked back to his car. The remains being wiped out by the sea waves... Still having so many questions in his mind he drove off to his house... Thinking as to why did ACP sir suddenly call him to meet him... What was it that he wanted to say. "Hopefully the truth' he prayed. He also wondered if he should tell the team or atleast Abhijeet about this but then decided against it thinking that ACP sir sent him the message on the beach when he knew he would be alone. So maybe there's a reason for it! Also if required he could always tell them later...

*Next morning, 7:30 am*

                Daya was sitting in his car in a disguise so that no one could recognise him. A doctor's white apron hanging on the passenger seat... But before leaving for the lock up where ACP sir was kept he made a call to Abhijeet...

Abhijeet - Ha Daya?

Daya - Yaar woh ajj mai tumhare ghar nahi aa pauga woh discussion ke liye. Tum please team aur Veer se baat kar lena. Aur soch lena ki karna kya hai?

Abhijeet - Ha theek hai mai dekh lunga. Lekin kya baat hai? Kal toh kaha tha ki aaoge. Achanak nahi aa rahe tum? Thode pareshan lag rahe ho? Sab theek hai na?

               Shocked to see that Abhijeet still understood that he was tensed even after he had done everything he could to make his voice sound normal somehow Daya managed as...

Daya - Ha Abhi... Sab theek hai. Woh bas mere khabri ne milne bula liya achanak. Bas isilye nahi aa pauga yaar.

Abhijeet - (still not convinced) Sab theek hai na Daya?

Daya - Ha yaar. Tum bekar mai tension le rahe ho! Mai aata hu na beauro. Thoda late ho sakta hai par aauga. Tab baat karte hai.

Abhijeet - Acha theek hai. Take care.

               Cutting the call Daya took a sigh of relief with 'Pata nahi isse kaise sab pata chal jata hai! Jaise iski aakhe mere saath hi travel karti ho!' and nodding his head in a no in light smile he put the keys in car's ignition and then drove off to police station with lots of questions in his mind.

*Outside ACP sir's house*

              Purvi was still keeping an eye on ACP sir's house hiding in between the trees. When after the wait of one whole night Dai maa finally came out of the house... Looked around and stopping a taxi sat in it and drove off. While Purvi sat in her car and started following the taxi from a safe distance so as not to come under suspicion of being followed...

*Outside police station, 8:15 am*

               Daya was impatiently waiting outside for the clock to strike 8:30 still thinking about what was the matter. Took a look at his face in the front camera of his phone to take a final check at his disguise and as soon as the clock stuck 8:30 entered inside with his doctor's coat in hanging on his left hand. He directly went to Insp Dev's table who looking at him asked as...

Dev - Yes?

Daya - Woh actually... Woh mera phone chori ho gaya tha... Mujhe uski report likhwani thi

Dev - Acha theek hai. (Calling out to shinde) Shinde. Inki report...

           But before he could say anything further another cop came running out and exclaimed to Dev as...

Officer - Sir woh ACP sir ko pata nahi achanak kya ho gaya?

Dev - Kya hogaya matlab? What happened Mahesh?

Mahesh - Sir woh unki tabiyat kharab ho rahi hai sir. Pata nahi woh saas nahi le paa rahe!

Dev - Oh no! Jaldi doctor ko bulao tum. Tab tak dekhta hu mai!

             Mahesh took out his phone in order to call the doctor while Dev turned towards Daya with 'App please waha (indicating to the adjacent table where a constable was sitting) report likhwa...'

Daya - (cutting him in between) Agar app chahe toh kya mai dekh sakta hu unhe? Am a doctor (showing him his left hand where his white coat was hanging)

Dev - Ab app woh...

              Insp Dev looked confused as to what to do. Allowing any random person to meet ACP sir could create problems but then what if something happened to ACP sir that too under his custudy! When understanding his confusion Daya said...

Daya - Dekhiye jaisa ki inhone (indicating towards Mahesh) ne kaha unhe breathing mai problem ho rahi hai. It can be serious. Baki app ki marzi!

Dev - Acha theek hai. Aayiye app! Iss taraf...

             He said moving into the corridor and then led him through a passage to the lock ups. Where in one of those lock ups ACP sir was sitting panting hard with his right hand on his chest. While a constable was standing there with a glass of water in his hand a confused look on his face. Seeing Dev coming there the constable opened the door of the lock up while Daya along with Dev and Mahesh entred inside through it. Daya instantly moved towards ACP sir and told him to lie down on the bench while started behaving like he was checking him out. After a minute he said to Dev...

Daya - App log please bahar jayege? Mujhe inhe check karna hai!

Dev - Apko jo bhi karna hai humare samne hi kijiye!

Daya - Dekhiye it's important. Please? Waise bhi yeh CCTV toh laga hi hai na yaha pe. App issi se nazar rakh lijiye ga?

                Dev thought for a second and then giving a glance to the CCTV camera nodded his head in yes and then moved out with Mahesh and the constable saying...

Dev - Theek hai. Kuch bhi chahiye ho toh hume inform kar dijiye ga.

                Before going away completely Insp Dev told the constable to stand there besides the wall just in case of any necessity and also to keep an eye on both. While Daya as Dev moved out kept a hand on ACP sir's chest and wishpered a slow 'sir' as CCTV could only see but not hear!
                Hearing him ACP sir who until now was pretending to be in pain slowly opened his eyes and looked at his son who was staring at him with a worried face... While ACP sir understanding his son's unsaid fear said in a low voice as...

ACP - Kuch nahi hua mujhe. Theek hu.

                 A relaxed expression took the place of the worried one on Daya's face while he continuing to pretend treating him asked as...

Daya - Kya baat hai sir?

               ACP sir knowing that they didn't have a lot of time as Dev or any other officer could come there any moment directly came to the point as...

ACP - Tum log yeh jo chup chup ke investigation kar rahe ho na...  Band karo isse...

Daya - (little angry) Sir yeh app. App abhi bhi yehi bol rahe hai!

ACP - Daya tum iss case ki investigation nahi karoge. And thats an order!

Daya - (in a angry wishper) Aur yeh apka pehla aur shayad akhri order hai jo mai follow nahi karuga sir!

ACP - (irritated) Tum samjhte kyu nahi ho Daya? Theek hai nahi manna. Mat mano. Parso court ki hearing hai. Parso mai court mai apna gunah kabul kar lunga!

Daya - (shocked) Apna gunah? Konsa gunah sir? Woh gunah jo apne kiya hi nahi hai? Sir app kyu apne app ko musibat mai phasane pe tule hai. Maine socha tha apne mujhe sach batane ke liye bulaya hoga. Par app toh...

ACP - Kaise samjhau mai tumhe Daya (Angrily) Abhijeet aur Arya ki jaan kathre mai hai. Agar yeh investigation nahi roki na tumne Abhijeet ko maar dalege woh log!

                Daya was too shocked to react while ACP sir continued...

ACP - Daya baat samjhne ki koshish karo! Har waqt tum par nazar rakhi jaa rahi hai. Tum jitna sach ke paas pohchoge utna hi paas Abhijeet kathre ke!

Daya - Chaliye kam se kam aapne yeh toh accept kiya ki sach kuch aur hai. Woh nahi jo app ab tak kehte aaye hai.

ACP - Maine agar sach nahi bola toh koi jhut bhi nahi bola. Daya isilye maine tumhe milne bulaya aur Abhijeet ko nahi. Kyuki Abhijeet ko yeh batane se koi fayeda hota hi nahi ki uski jaan ko kathra hai. Daya usse kuch nahi hona chahiye! Parso waise hi mai court mai kudh ko guilty accept kar lunga. Lekin tab tak uski safety tumhari zimadari hai! Uske ghar pe rehna hai... Toh bhi karo! Lekin uss par humesha nazar rakho samjhe!

                Before Daya could reply anything Mahesh came there and called daya as...

Mahesh - Hogaya kya apka? Is he ok now?

Daya - (looking at him) Ha... Bas do minute. Abhi aaya mai.

                 Nodding his head in yes Mahesh kept standing there waiting for him while Daya once again wishpered to him... This time in a voice even lower than before as...

Daya - Abhijeet ki jaan bachane ke liye apko apni zindagi barbad nahi karne dunga mai sir. Na Abhijeet ko kuch hoga... Na Arya ko... Aur naa hi apko!

ACP - Nahi manoge na tum. Theek hai. Parso tak ka waqt hai tumhare pass...

              Leaving a sigh Daya stood up straight and said to Mahesh as...

Daya - Chaliye...

               Constable opened up the door of the lock up and Daya came outside giving one last glance to ACP sir who was now staring the ceiling of the lock up. Coming out with Insp Mahesh to where Insp Dev was now sitting on his desk watching the CCTV live footage of ACP sir's cell Daya said as Dev looked at him...

Daya - He is fine now. Acidity ki wajh se gas ho gayi thi. Jo chest mai jake atak gayi thi isilye unhe chest pain ho raha tha. He is ok now. Mai dawai likh deta hu. Woh unhe khila dijiyega ajj 3 times. Ek dose abhi aur ek lunch ke pehle aur ek dinner ke pehle.

Dev - Ok app likh dijiye medicine...

Daya - Woh paper...

             Dev forwarded him a notepad and Daya wrote the name of a harmless antacid in a different handwriting than that of his to avoid any problems only in case. And then silently left the police station before Dev remembered and said to Mahesh as... 'Aree woh unke phone chori ki report likhwane aaye the! Woh toh likhwai hi nahi! Bulao unhe!' But before Mahesh came out to find him Daya and his car had already disappeared.

*Pune, 2 and half hours later*

             The taxi stopped in front of the huge mansion that was now covered in dust... Between the rustling sound of the dried leaves Dai maa stepped out of the taxi and after paying the driver stared the huge iron door in front of her. She waited for a second and then glancing around for once pushed open the iron door and stepped inside...
             Purvi who was still following her now came out from her car that she had parked at a little distance. With carefull steps she reached near the mansion and looked at it to find a huge name plate with 'Malhotra Mansion' written over it. The name plate which now had a broken corner. Cautiously Purvi entered inside and went in the direction where she had seen Dai maa going. But she even after taking a round of the whole mansion didn't find her. She searched everywhere but Dai maa was no where to be seen! Wondering where she had disappeared Purvi stared at the big front door of the mansion where SIT's seal was present. Thinking where Dai maa could have gone Purvi said to herself...

Purvi - Yeh Dai maa akhir gayi kaha! Abhi toh yehi thi. Aur toh aur yaha karne kya aayi hai woh? (After a second) Kahi andar toh nahi! Par darwaze pe toh seal hai...

               And now looking for a way inside Purvi once again moved to the sides of the mansion where she found a broken window. The window through which few months ago Arya had entered inside and her life was turned upside down! Thinking for a minute if she should enter inside or no she decided to enter and jumped in through the broken window.
               She looked around to see if Dai maa was inside but before she could move anywhere she heard...

Voice - Hands up!

To be continued...

             Kon aaya? Now where is Purvi struck? Abhijeet sir ki jaan ko bhi kathra hai! Ab kya karege Daya sir? Answers next chapter mai milege! Tab tak keep reading and reviewing!!!

The Present - Chapter 20

              Heyo! Aa gayi mai wapis! Meri bak bak baad mai. Chalo pehle jaldi jaldi chappy padlo!

                              Chapter 20

              ACP Arjun left for his hotel and Veer for his office while team left for ACP sir's house to meet Dai maa... They were sure she had a lot to tell. But wondering why she didn't say anything previously or even in court they reached ACP sir's house and rang the doorbell... Shayam opened the door and they settled on the couch while Dai maa came down from upstairs wondering what must be the matter that they came here even though they met only few hours ago in the court.

Dai maa - App log yaha? Achanak?

Abhijeet - Ha woh kuch baat karni thi app se...

Dai maa (sitting down on chair) - Ji boliye na? Kya madad kar sakti hu mai apki?

Daya - App please yeh bata sakti hai ki app Arya ko kab se janti hai?

Dai maa - 27 saal se janti hu mai usse... Sahab ke usse god lene ke kuch baad turant hi rakh liya tha unhone mujhe uski dekh bhaal ke liye. Unke kaam ki wajh se unhe zayada waqt nahi mil pata tha Arya ka khayal rakhne ke liye. Isilye unhone mujhe rakha tha.

Abhijeet - Agar app Arya ko tab se hi janti hai toh phir apko yeh bhi pata hoga na ki ACP sir ne Arya ko akhir US bejha kyu tha?

Freddy - Aisi kya zarurat pad gayi ki unhone achanak usse US bejh diya aur itne saalo mai kabhi usse mile bhi nahi!

Dai maa (fidgeting with her fingers) - Beta mai nahi janti ki kyu bejha tha. Unhone mujhe bas itna bataya ki Arya ki parwarish waha jayada behtar ho payegi isilye usse bejh rahe hai. Sirf 5 saal ki thi woh... Akeli toh reh nahi sakti thi... Isilye saath mai mujhe bhi bejh diya!

Daya - App bura mat maniyega par app jane ke liye tayar kaise ho gayi? Matlab yaha apka ghar, pariwar...

Dai maa - Mera koi ghar pariwar hai hi nahi... Kiraye ke jhopde mai rehti thi mai! Jab sahab ne mujhe Arya ki Dai bana kar rakh liya. Mera khana pina... Rehna sab ka intezam sahab hi karte the. Karte the kya... Ajj bhi wahi karte hai. Jab unhone mujhe kaha ki woh Arya ko US bejh rahe hai aur saath mai mujhe bhi uska khayal rakhne jana hoga mai unhe mana nahi kar payi... Mana karne ki koi wajh bhi toh nahi thi!

Purvi - Unhone kabhi apko kuch nahi bataya ki unhone aisa kiya kyu?

Dai maa - Nahi beta... Maine kabhi puchne ki himmat nahi ki... Aur unhone kabhi bataya nahi.

Abhijeet - Acha theek hai... Koi baat nahi. Ab hum chalte hai.

                 And soon team came out of the house greeting Dai maa and settled in the car when Daya asked Abhijeet while putting the keys in the car's ignition...

Daya - Tum bhi wahi soch rahe ho jo mai soch raha hu?

Abhijeet - Ha Daya... Kuch toh karna padega!

Daya - Ha, lekin kya?

Salunkhe - (from back seat) Aree ek minute! Kya soch rahe ho tum dono! Kuch toh clear bolo! Hume bhi toh samjh aaye!

Tarika - Ha na... Mujhe bhi kuch nahi samjha... Kis bare mai kuch toh karna padega?

Abhijeet - Kya salunkhe sahab! Itna bhi nahi samjhe!

Salunkhe - Aree! Kuch bologe hi nahi toh mujhe samjhega kaise ki kis bare mai baat kar rahe the tum dono!

Daya - (smiling) Sir hum yeh bol rahe the ki Dai maa jhoot bol rahi hai!

Pankaj - Par apko aisa kyu lagta hai sir?

Daya - Dekha nahi tumne woh kitni nervous thi humse baat karte waqt? Mai dawe ke saath keh sakta hu ki woh jhoot bol rahi thi! Waise bhi koi iss tarah se 22 saal ke liye desh chod kar nahi chala jata woh bhi bina wajh jane! Kuch toh baat hai. Aur woh, woh baat janti hai! Bas bata nahi rahi

Purvi - Par sir woh jhoot kyu bolegi?

Abhijeet - Pata nahi! (After a moment) Ek kaam karo Purvi!

Purvi - Yes sir?

Abhijeet - Tum yehi ruko... Sir ke ghar ke bahar! Aur Dai maa par nazar rakho! Dekho woh kya karti hai... Kisse milti hai. Sab kuch!

Purvi - Ok sir!

             And Purvi now got down the car and hid herself behind the wall of the lawn in ACP sir's house while rest of them drove away to beauro dropping salunkhe sir and tarika in forensic lab.
             The rest of the day went being busy in usual cases. And deciding to meet up tomorrow early morning in Abhijeet's house before beauro to discuss their further moves all of them started packing up for the day. When suddenly beauro door opened and Insp Dev with some other SIT officers came inside... Soon they were followed by Arya and Rahul. Giving a stare to the new comers Abhijeet and Daya got up from their desks and went upto them while Freddy and Pankaj remained standing at their own places (Purvi was still keeping an eye on ACP sir's house hence was not in beauro).

Abhijeet - Yes?

Dev - Sir woh hume ACP Prayduman ke cabin  ki talashi leni hai.

              Pankaj and Freddy beamed with anger hearing this while Daya maintained silence to control himself... When after a grave silence of a moment Abhijeet asked Insp Dev looking sharply in his eyes...

Abhijeet - Search warrant laye ho?

             Nodding his head in yes Dev forwarded his hand to one of his subordinates who handed him an envelope which Dev forwarded to Abhijeet... Who grabbing it still looking at him with the same sharp gaze opened it up and finally turned his gaze away to read the search warrant. It was correct and hence having no other option said...

Abhijeet - Jayiye! (Indicating towards sir's cabin) Aur Freddy tum bhi jao inke saath. Make sure kisi bhi confidential chiz ko haat na lagaye!

               Freddy silently moved inside with Dev and other SIT officers as told by Abhijeet while Arya and Rahul kept standing at there own places.
               Arya today unlike other days looked a little uncomfortable... She had not uttered a word since she entered even after such strict behaviour by Abhijeet that had somewhere sent down shivers through even Insp Dev's spine. She was blankly staring at ACP sir's cabin... To others it seemed as if she was trying to know if SIT officers had found something or not but actually she was lost in her own world. Abhijeet's words to her in court today had somewhere made a crack on her heart which she had from past few days disguised as a stone! Her love for her father peeping out from the crack. No matter how much her brain tried to convince her with 'ACP sir is not innocent' somewhere Abhijeet's words 'Jis insan ke character pe app ungli utha rahi hai na ussi insan ne apko ungli pakad kar chalna sikhaya tha!' were ringing in her ears. After days finally she felt like believing the love she had felt in all these 27 years and just forgetting all the proofs that she had just seen. A battle between her and her was going on inside her!
               Soon Insp Dev came out from the cabin with others and slowly said to her as 'Kuch nahi mila'. She didn't react and he left with his team leaving Arya and Rahul still standing at the same place. The confident gazes of duo made Rahul uncomfortable and he slowly said to Arya as...

Rahul - Chale?

               With this Arya finally came out of her thoughts and looking at Rahul told him...

Arya - Tu jaa... Mai aa jaugi baad mai.

Rahul - Par kaha jana hai tujhe? Kuch kaam hai?

Arya - Nahi... Bas tu ja. Mai aa jaugi na

Rahul - Aree par...

Arya - Rahul please...

Rahul - Acha theek hai! Jata hu mai. Tujhe drop kar du jaha jana hai waha?

Arya - Nahi mai chali jaugi.

Rahul - Sure?

Arya - Ha.

             And whispering a 'take care' to her even Rahul left the beauro while Arya finally looking at duo said uncomfortably...

Arya - Wo... Wo... Bhai...

              Duo who were till now looking at her in anger and confusion turned a little softer with this 'bhai' that they heard after a long time... She didn't say anything further and looked like searching for words when Abhijeet said...

Abhijeet - Bolo?

              Gaining some courage she said looking down...

Arya - Woh mujhe... Arjun ji se milna hai!

            The little good that the 'bhai' had done was wasted by this sentence of Arya and now Daya said in anger...

Daya - Aur woh kyu?

Arya - (finally looking at him) Kuch baat karni hai unse...

Abhijeet - Jo baat karni hai court mai karna Advocate Arya! (chewing his words)

Arya - Advocate Arya ko nahi milna... ACP Prayduman ki beti ko milna hai!

             Now this was the limit for Daya and the volcano of anger that he was holding within himself for long burst out with this...

Daya - (shouting) Toh finally ACP Prayduman ki beti ban hi gayi tum? Kaise? Unhone toh tumhe adopt kiya hi nahi hai na? He is only your legal guardian! Aree jis insan ne tumhare parents ko mara hai unhe kaise tum apna pita maan sakti ho? Bhool gayi kya ki unhone tumhari property dhoke se apne naam karwa li thi? Finally aa gayi tumhe unki yaad? Unhe itne dino tak lock up mai band karwake rakhne ke baad yaad aa gayi? Puri duniya ke samne... Media ke samne unki izzat uchalne ke baad tumhe ajj finally yaad aa gaya ki tum unki beti ho? Ek respected ACP ko unki job se suspend karane ke baad ajj yaad aa hi gaya tumhe? Unki hasi, unki khusiya... Aree yaha tak ki unke alfaz tak unse cheen lene ke baad mai yaad aa hi gaya tumhe? Aree muskurana bhool chuke hai woh! Najane kitne dino se humse kaam ke alawa baat tak nahi ki! Court ke bahar bhi milte hai toh bas ek baar dekhkar chale jate hai! Jakar pucho Salunkhe sir se ki kis halat mai mile the woh unko uss din jab tumne unke pita honepar sawal uthaya tha! Itna kamzor, itna lachar kabhi nahi dekha humne unhe! Sab kuch tumhari wajh se! Aree sharam aati hai mujhe yeh kehte hue ki tum unki beti ho! Acha hi kiya unhone jo tumhe apne app se dur rakha itne saalo tak. Unke paas rehne layak ho bhi nahi tum! Unka pyar deserve hi nahi karti! (With teary eyes) Pal pal mar rahe hai woh waha... Har din unka woh charm kam hota jaa raha hai! Yaar aise roz thoda thoda marne se toh behtar hota ki tum ek baar mai hi unhe...

               His words got struck in his throat... How could he utter such a thing for his father? But the helpless eyes of his beloved ACP sir made him weak that he couldn't control his tears. A silent drop slid down his eye and he just looked away to hide it when Abhijeet came towards him and held his hand firmly in his grip. His little emotional fool needed him. Yes a 'fool'. Sometimes the fool of English when he lost control over emotions at time of duty while sometimes a fool of Hindi cause his heart was actually as soft as a flower. Abhijeet slowly patted his back as Daya wiped away his eyes and went out of beauro to wash his face and gain back his nerves... But before he stepped out of the door he turned back once again and said looking at Arya's back who was staring the ground with her teary eyes...

Daya - Tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karuga mai Arya... Kabhi nahi. Humse humare ACP sir cheene hai tumne... Kabhi maaf nahi karuga...

                And walking away with faster pace he left while Abhijeet now finally looked at Arya who had beared all the anger of his brother silently... But somewhere he believed that she deserved it. But keeping aside his emotions for now he said...

Abhijeet - Niche parking mai wait karo... Mai aata hu 10 minute mai. Chalte hai Arjun sir se milne.

                Without even looking at him for once Arya walked off while Abhijeet after telling Freddy and Pankaj to pack up for the day and leave he himself went to look for his angry bird who he knew would be crying sitting in some corner. He went towards washroom and found Daya in corridor standing leaning to the wall with wet face as he had just splashed water on it. His eyes were closed while he was simply taking some deep breaths to calm himself down. When Abhijeet said to gain his attention...

Abhijeet - Hmm toh janab yaha hai!

                With this Daya opened his eyes and giving him a glance looked away... When he heard from a shocked Abhijeet as...

Abhijeet - Aree! Mujhpe kis baat ka gussa nikala jaa raha hai bhai?

Daya - (angrily) Kya zarurat hai tumhe usse Arjun sir se milwane ki?

Abhijeet - (shocked) Tumhe kaise pata mai le jaa raha hu usse?

Daya - (making a face) Itna toh janta hu mai tumhe!

               Smiling in affection Abhijeet punched his arm lightly and said...

Abhijeet - Abe toh mere lal tamatar! Yeh bhi pata hoga na tumhe toh ki kyu le jaa raha hu!

Daya - Abhijeet tum...

Abhijeet - Daya! Yaar dekh... Nafrat nahi karti woh ACP sir se. Bas uska dimag ulta chal raha hai! Baat samjhne ki koshish kar na... Usne bhi toh apna sab kuch khoya hai na? Humne ACP sir ko apne pita ki jagah di hai. Uske bhi toh woh wahi hai na? Agar hum sir ko taklif mai nahi dekh sakte toh kya usse dard nahi hota hoga sir ko woh taklif kudh deke? Uski jagah kudh ko rakh ke dekh! 22 saal baad wapis aayi hai woh India... 22 saal baad usse mili jo milo dur rehkar bhi uski puri duniya the! Aur wapis aake usse kya pata chalta hai? Ki jis insan ne usse paal pos kar bada kiya ussi ne usko janam dene walo ko mara tha. Aur phir woh property ka chakkar! Ha usse sir ka vishwas karna chahiye tha... Par uski toh puri duniya hi palat gayi na! Kamse kam iss mushkil waqt mai hum saath toh hai. Freddy hai, salunkhe sir hai, purvi, pankaj, tarika! Humara pura pariwar saath hai! Woh toh isme bhi akeli hai!

Daya - Par Abhijeet woh galat hai!

Abhijeet - Maine kab kaha woh galat nahi hai? Woh galat hai! Par woh ghunegar nahi hai. Aur toh aur apni galti ki saza woh kudh bhugat rahi hai akele pan ke roop mai... Aur na jane kitne waqt sahegi guilt ke roop mai jab usse sach pata chalega!

              Yes... Abhijeet was right... She was at fault but she was also the biggest sufferer! This realization calmed down Daya and he leaving a sigh he said to Abhijeet...

Daya - Jao tum... Wait kar rahi hogi woh tumhara.

Abhijeet - (smiling) Thats like my good tamatar!

Daya - Huh! Mai tamatar nahi hu!

Abhijeet - Ha ha... Dikh raha hai! Laal laal shakal bana rakhi hai aur aaya bada mai tamatar nahi hu!

              Daya shouting as 'Abhijeet tum' and ran behind Abhijeet who was already walking down the stairs to save himself... When Daya once again heard him say from the parking as...

Abhijeet - Ghar jate time mai pehle beach pe aauga! Agar janab mujhe tab tak beach pe baithe mile na toh unki khair nahi!

             While Daya grumbled hearing him as... 'Huh... Khadus boss'. And he himself went down to parking and drove off towards beach as after his boss's strict warning he had very less time to spend there and he didn't want to waste the little time he had.

*Beach, an hour and half later*

              Daya was silently sitting staring the waves as they touched his feet time to time and went back into the sea taking away his tension and worries with it. This soothing place was his only escape from all the worries and he just couldn't have enough of it. But then he realized that he had already spent enough time here and had to go back home...

Daya - (to himself) Chalo bhai Daya... Ghar chalo... Nahi toh agar Abhi aa gaya na toh phir meri khair nahi!

               Dusting away his feet he wore back his socks and shoes when someone patted on his shoulder from behind... With the scare of 'boss toh nahi aa gaya' he looked behind saying...

Daya - Dekho mai jaa hi raha tha. Tum itne jaldi kaise...

               But he stopped in between seeing that the visitor was not his boss but a young boy of around 16 years old. He was wearing a simple pale yellow t shirt with a black three forth trouser. He was holding a tea kettle and a pack of paper disposable cups in his one hand. Daya glanced around but not finding anyone there asked the boy as...

Daya - Beta app yaha kya kar rahe ho? Woh bhi iss waqt? (It was almost midnight)

            Boy did not answer his question instead took out one cup from his packet of cups and filled it with tea from the kettle and asked him offering the cup...

Boy - Chai piyege sahab?

Daya - Beta mujhe chai nahi chahiye... App mujhe yeh batao app yaha kya kar rahe ho? Naam kya hai apka? Kaha rehte ho?

              But again boy ignored his question and said...

Boy - Le lo na sahab chai!

Daya - Aree par...

              But before Daya could complete his sentence the boy held his hand and keeping the filled cup in his hand ran away saying...

Boy - Le lo sahab... Apke liye hi hai!

              Daya tried stopping him but the boy didn't stop and as he disappeared from Daya's vision he now looked at the cup in his hand and said shockingly as...

Daya - 'Mere liye hi hai' se kya matlab tha iska! Aur paise bhi nahi liye aise hi bhaag gaya!

               He understood that something was wrong and the tea was not ment to be tea but was something else. He emptied the cup in the dustbin not taking the risk of drinking it if it would have had something mixed in it. Just as he emptied the cup and saw inside it and was shocked. A whisper came out of his mouth as...

Daya - ACP sir!

To be continued...

              Aisa kya mila daya sir ko ki he got shocked? Keep reading to know the answer!!!

The Present - Chapter 19

             So here i come back! With the next chapter of The Present! Requesting you all to please go through the previous chapter once if you need to brush up what happened there! The story is little complicated and sometimes even recaps don't help. Reading the previous chapter would! So if you wish to, please read it before this one. Aur ha usko padke isko mat bhul jana!

                              Chapter 19

*Dr. Salunkhe's house*

            Team was just about to to leave for their respective houses as it was pretty late already and they had to go to court tomorrow morning for the next hearing of the case. Just then Abhijeet's phone rang... Seeing an unknown number he said picking up the call...

Abhijeet - Hello? Sr. Insp Abhijeet here...

Man - Abhijeet... This is ACP Arjun Singh. CBI... Delhi branch.

Abhijeet - Sir! (In respect)

Arjun - Woh mujhe kuch baat karni thi tumse... Prayduman ke bare mai.

              Wondering what must be the matter Abhijeet kept his phone speaker so that all could hear him...

Abhijeet - Sir ke bare mai! Kya baat hai sir?

Arjun - Woh mai kal Mumbai aakar batauga... Kal subah 7 baje ki Delhi se flight hai meri. 10 baje tak i will be there. Kab mil sakta hu tumse?

Abhijeet - Sir woh 10 baje toh hum court mai rahege... Woh apko toh pata hi hoga ki...

Arjun - Ha ha i know. Ussi ke bare mai baat karni hai. Bombay high court right? Mai sidha wahi aa jauga... Jo batana hai wahi batauga. Tum logo ko bhi... Court ko bhi aur... Aur Arya ko bhi! Bas court ko bata dena ki mai gawahi dunga...

              Duo looked at each other wondering what must be the matter and what he wanted to say and so was the team confused... When Veer said...

Veer - Sir this is Advocate Veer Khanna. Am sorry to be interrupting in between lekin app please bata sakte hai ki kya bolna chahte hai app court mai? Agar hum kudh hi nahi jante honge toh court mai bolege kya?

Arjun - Trust me Mr. Veer... Prayduman is a good old friend of mine. Uske liye gawahi dene aa raha hu. Uske khilaf nahi! U can trust me with this! (After a moment) Kal milte hai... Good night.

Abhijeet - Good night sir...

                After the call was cut Daya voiced out the question that was there in everyone's mind...

Daya - Kya baat ho sakti hai? Kya bolna chahte honge woh!

Abhijeet - Pata nahi yaar... Bol rahe the sir ke purane dost hai. Maine toh kabhi nahi suna inke bare mai sir se...

Salunkhe - Maine suna hai Abhijeet! Kafi acha dost tha yeh Prayduman ka pehle. Phir uska Delhi transfer ho gaya.

Freddy - Agar dost hai toh ho sakta hai kuch jante ho iss sab ke bare mai?

Veer - Aree toh abhi kyu nahi bataya kya bolna hai! Agar humne inhe as a witness pesh kar diya court mai aur inhone kuch ulta hi bol diya toh? Arya iss mauke ko chodegi nahi!

Daya - Par inpar trust karne ke alawa aur koi rasta nahi hai humare paas. Na hi Raghuveer ji se koi help mili hume na hi Vikrant ji se! Insp Rathore, sir ki statement ke liye aliby toh hai par usse kuch khaas fayeda to hoga nahi! Aur yeh jo dhamki wale letters Mr. Arun ke office se mile hai usse hum waise bhi court mai pesh nahi kar sakte! Ho sakta hai yeh kuch help kar paye humari!

Veer - Manta hu woh ACP hai... Par witness ko bina prepare kiye hum unhe court mai pesh nahi kar sakte! No! Mujhe nahi lagta ki hum unhe iss tarah se gawahi dene de sakte hai!

Freddy - Toh phir kare kya?

Daya - Ek tarika hai! Mai aur Veer kal court ke bahar hi wait karege Arjun sir ka. Unse wahi mil lenge... Veer unse baat karle... Phir andar aayege hum. Tab tak court ki proceedings chalti rahe!

Veer - Ha yeh theek hai!

Abhijeet - Theek hai phir! Chalo ab sab ghar chalte hai. Kal subah court ke bahar hi milege. Aa jana sab.

Pankaj - Ji sir

                And all left towards their respective houses... Waiting for the next day in confusion, worry and some hope.

*Next Day, Bombay High Court*
*Third hearing*

                The court filled, team arrived and everyone took their place, Abhijeet in lawyer's place while others on the benches behind. Advocate Raghuveer was also present along with the other witnesses of the case. Arya along with Rahul took her position and soon Insp Dev and IG Pandit came along with few other cops and ACP sir... While team just kept looking at their dear ACP sir. He looked a little tired... Maybe due to lack of sleep or something. Being cops they knew in which conditions he would have been living in being in custody... But as they were in court they controlled their emotions and stood up in respect as the judge had arrived. Daya and Veer were still waiting outside the court for ACP Arjun. ACP sir went and stood in the witness box... And after going through the report of the previous hearing the judge said...

Judge - Miss prosecutor please begin...

Arya - Thank you your honour. Your honour pichli hearing mai SIT ki report aur Advocate Raghuveer ki gawahi se hume yeh toh pata chal hi gaya tha ki ACP Prayduman ne unn property papers par meri sign dhoke se li thi! Yeh baat unhone kudh bhi accept ki! Aur ab jald hi yeh bhi prove ho jayega ki Mr. Arun aur Miss Gayatri ki death ke piche bhi inki hi sajish thi! Without wasting any more time of the honourable court i would like to call Mr. Prateek in the witness box...

               Judge nodded in yes... And a man in mid 30s came and stood in the witness box. He was wearing a simple pale yellow coloured shirt and a black trouser. By appearance he looked not very rich...

Arya - Your honour, Mr. Prateek, Vijay ji ke bete hai... (To ACP sir) Kon Vijay ji? Yaad hai na apko?

ACP - Vijay? (Thinking for a moment) Mera khabri?

Arya - (with a smile) Bilkul! Wahi khabri jisne apko information di thi uss gang ke bare mai ki unki konsi deal, kis waqt aur kaha hone wali hai!

Abhijeet - Prosecutor sahiba agar app bhul rahi ho toh yaad dila du... Kisi bhi khabri yaa unke family ki identity secret rakhni hoti hai! Isse unki jaan ko bhi khatra ho sakta hai!

Arya - Abhijeet ji aisa kuch nahi bhul rahi mai. Vijay ji ki jaan ko kathra hone ka koi sawal hi nahi uthta (before Abhijeet could ask 'why?'). Kyu ka jawab mil jayega apko... Aur rahi baat Prateek ji ki toh unhe gawahi dene se koi problem nahi hai! So may I?

Abhijeet - Hmm...

Arya - Thank you! (Moving near him) Toh bataiye Mr. Prateek... Vijay ji ki maut kaise hui?

ACP - (in shock) Vijay ki maut ho gayi?

Arya - Apko nahi pata tha? Khair... Apko toh bohot kuch nahi pata! Par ab pata chal jayega!

Arya - Mr. Prateek please go ahead...

Prateek - Woh... Baba ne 6 saal pehle aatmyahatya kar li thi.

Arya - Kyu?

Prateek - Woh maa ki maut ke baad woh gam seh nahi paye... Aur aatmyahatya kar li.

Arya - Your honour... Yeh Mr. Vijay ka suicide letter (passing it on to the helper who gave it to the judge) Isme note karne wali baat yeh hai ki unhone isme saaf saaf likha hai ki unhe zindagi bhar iss baat ka malal raha ki unki help se ACP sahab ne 2 begunaho ki jaan le li! Yeh bhi likha hai ki unhone ACP sahab ko 3 din pehle hi uss deal ke bare mai inform kar diya tha par ACP sir ne statement mai jhut bola ki sirf 5 ghante pehle hi unhe pata chala tha! (To Abhijeet) Apne mujhse pichli hearing mai pucha tha na ki kaise apke ACP sir ne Mr. Arun ko ussi waqt waha bulaya jab uss gang ka encounter hone wala tha? Mil gaya apko apke sawal ka jawab? For the brilliant man that he is... 3 din zarurat se zayada waqt hai for a person like him, ek fake encounter plan karne ke liye!

Judge - Defence, would you like to cross question the witness

Abhijeet - Yes your honour... (going near Prateek) Toh yehi statement Mr. Vijay ne 27 saal pehle kyu nahi di thi? Ki unhone ACP Prayduman (remember, he got a warning in the last hearing to call ACP sir by his name) ko uss deal ki information 3 din pehle di thi? Why did he stand by ACP Prayduman's statement, then?

Prateek - Baba, sahab (ACP sir) ki bohot izzat karte the! Majburi mai bane chor ko sahab ne izzat ki zindagi jo di thi! Sahab agar baba se unki jaan bhi maang lete toh woh toh woh bhi de dete! Yeh toh sirf ek jhoot bolna tha! Par unhe iss baat ka malal humesha raha. Woh humesha kehte the ki sahab ko aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Woh yeh shehar chod kar bhi isilye gaye the! Kyuki sahab ke khilaf unse jaya nahi gaya aur woh jhoot unhe andar hi andar khaye jaa raha tha!

Arya - Ab bhi kuch puchna hai apko?

             Abhijeet slightly nodded his head in a 'no'... He was getting worried now. The matter was slowly slipping out of his hands. Presenting Insp Rathore would no more be of any use... Cause Insp. Rathore was only an aliby to ACP sir's statement which was already almost proven wrong by Arya... When Arya said again...

Arya - Par mujhe puchna hai! (After a minute) Apse!

              Not having anything to say Abhijeet silently waited for her to ask her question...

Arya - So Sr. Insp Abhijeet... Right hand hai na app ACP Prayduman ke? Aree right hand kya... Bade bete hi samjh lo... Woh insan jispe ACP sir sabse zayada bharosa karte hai! Aur kare bhi kyu na! Seniors se lade hai app unke liye... Goliya khai hai... Yaha tak ki unke ek ishare par apni jaan haat mai liye khade ho jate hai! Dekhiye, abhi bhi app vishwas karne ko tayar ko nahi hai ki apke ACP sir kuch galat kar sakte hai. Ek inspector se lawyer ban gaye unhe bachane ke liye! Shayad hi aisa kuch hoga jo apne unke liye nahi kiya! Par agar apko yaad na ho toh mai yaad dila du! Kuch din pehle app aur apki puri team naraz thi unse. Kyu? Isilye kyuki unhone itne saalo mai bhi app logo ko yeh nahi bataya ki unki ek beti bhi hai! Pariwar mante hai na app log ek dusre ko? Mumbai CID is a family! Toh family mai koi kisi se itni badi baat chupata hai kya? Toh inhone (indicating to sir) kyu chupayi?

               Not having an answer Abhijeet kept staring at the ground... Yes he knew ACP sir had not done anything wrong. He never could! But then Arya's questions were not wrong either! Why did ACP sir take 21 long years to tell them this? Why?

Arya - Your honour... 22 saal! 22 years! Mai America mai rahi! Inn 22 saalo mai ek baar bhi na yeh (ACP sir) mujhse milne aaye na hi mujhe kabhi aane diya! Har baar meri holidays mai inse puchti thi... With a slight hope ki shayad iss baar yeh haa keh de. Par yeh kabhi nahi mane. Mai humesha sochti rahi kyu? Par ab mujhe wapis India aakar pata chali iske piche ki wajh! (Going near ACP sir and questioning him) Kya zarurat thi apko meri identity chupane ki? Kya zarurat thi duniya se yeh baat chupane ki apki ek beti bhi hai? Kya zarurat thi mujhse yeh baat chupane ki, ki mere biological parents ki death apke haato hui thi? Jab mai mili thi apko app jante the na ki mai Mr. Arun ki beti hu?

             She asked him furiously while a calm a ACP sir just kept looking at her... And when he didn't answer Arya asked him once again in a stern voice...

Arya - Answer my question, ACP Prayduman!

            ACP sir was still silent... With the same no expression face that was his companion from a few days now. When Abhijeet interrupted her in between and said...

Abhijeet - Ha nahi bataya unhone tumhe ki your biological parents died at his hands. Kaise batate woh? Kaise batate tumhe aakar ki jisne tumhe janam diya tha woh unke haato mara gaya tha? And by the way Miss Arya... Jis court mai khadi hokar app unn par chilla rahi hai na... Mat bhuliye ke iske kabil bhi unhi ne banaya hai apko! Wapis nahi aane diya India par bataiye aisi ek chiz jiski kami apko US mai padi ho? Be it education, be it a house, be it other expenses! Koi thi aisi chiz jo apko nahi mili? Apki har demand, har wish puri ki unhone! Aree property toh unke naam apke 18 hote hi ho gayi thi na? Phir kyu ajj tak woh apko apne palko par baithye baithe hai? Agar unhone yeh sab sirf property ke liye kiya hota na toh ajj shayad app iss kabil nahi hoti ki yaha khade hokar unse ek bhi sawal puch sake! And yes! Woh apko lawyer hi kyu banate agar unhone kuch gunah kiya hota! Who on earth would be so stupid ki jisko cheat kiya ho usse hi lawyer bana de? (After a minute) Bhuliye mat Miss Arya... Jis insan ke character pe app ungli utha rahi hai na ussi insan ne apko ungli pakad kar chalna sikhaya tha!

                This time Arya had no answer to his questions... Abhijeet was right... ACP sir had never in life let her down... He never made her feel she was not his real daughter. The love he had bestowed upon her... How could that be fake? After a long time she was feeling like forgetting everything else and just running back into her father's hug... But once again her brain overpowered her heart and collecting her energy again she said in a strong voice...

Arya - Toh phir kyu legal guardian bane mere? Ajj tak jitne bachche mile aap logo ko jiska iss duniya mai jiska koi na ho sab ko gaurdain ban gaye kya app log? Nahi na! Toh agar yeh uss property ke piche nahi the kyu bane mere gaurdain? Also not to forget he lied ki unhone mujhe adopt kiya hai! Jabki bane sirf legal guardian hi the! But why???

             Before Abhijeet could say anything another voice rose from the main door of the court room...

Man - Mai batata hu!

            Everyone stared at the man standing there... He was in his formals consisting of a light blue shirt, black pant and a black blazer... He was in his late 50s. His expressions fearless and voice strong. Daya and Veer were standing by his side and soon he walked inside the court staring ACP sir in his eyes while ACP sir only whispered slowly as...

ACP - Arjun!

Judge - App kon?

Arjun - ACP Arjun Singh... CBI... Delhi branch. Your honour... Mai kuch kehna chahta hu!

Judge - Apko jo bhi kehna hai witness box mai aakar kahiye!

            Arjun walked upto the witness box while Abhijeet looked at Daya and Veer who by eyes assured him not to worry.

Judge - Boliye kya bolna hai apko?

Arjun - Your honour mai Prayduman ka dost hu... Police training ke waqt se jante hai ek dusre ko. Jab 27 saal pehle woh encounter hua tha mai Prayduman ke saath CBI mai hi tha. Ha uss encounter ke liye nahi gaya tha kyuki mai uss gang ke case par kaam nahi kar raha tha. Par phir bhi mai aisi bohot si baate janta hu jo shayad Prayduman kabhi bolega nahi aur baki log yaha jante nahi! Your honour, Prayduman Arya ke paas nahi gaya tha usse adopt karne! Arya usse uske ghar ke paas mili thi jab ek din woh yuhi evening walk par gaya tha! Usse waha kon chod kar gaya yeh mai nahi janta! Woh ek baby basket mai ek jhaad ke niche mili thi usse. Usne dhunda par aas paas koi nahi mila. Ab kuch mahine ki bachchi ko woh aise hi nahi chod sakta tha isilye woh usse apne ghar le gaya! Phir agle din subah woh usse CBI office lekar aaya tha. Uske parents ka pata lagane. Usne, maine aur bhi baki officers ne bohot mehnat ki par kuch pata nahi chala. Tab tak woh Prayduman ke saath hi reh rahi thi. At the end hum iss conclusion par aaye ki shayad uska koi hai hi nahi. Prayduman chahta tha ki woh usse adopt karle. Itne dino mai kafi attach ho gaya tha woh usse! Maine hi samjhaya ki usse adopt karna, na toh Prayduman ke liye sahi hoga na hi uss bachchi ke liye! Cause of the risk that our job comes with! Bohot mushkil se mana tha woh. Aur phir agle din gaya bhi usse orphanage chodne... Par phir pata nahi kya hua aur usne apna decision badal diya. Yeh baat usne kisi ko nahi batayi! Kafi dino tak woh duty par bhi nahi aaya... Aur jab kariban ek hafte baad aaya toh iss news ke saath ki usne uss bachchi ko adopt kar liya hai! Your honour... Jab Arya usse mili thi tab Mr. Arun aur Miss Gayatri ka case katham ho chuka tha! Prayduman aur baki officers apni duty bhi resume kar chuke the! Prayduman yaa hum me se koi bhi yeh baat nahi janta tha ki Arya Mr. Arun ki wahi beti hai jo uss encounter ke baad se gayab thi! (To Arya) Agar yeh sab Prayduman ka plan hota toh tum encounter ke baad gayab hi kyu hoti? Woh tumhe tabhi adopt kar leta apni guilt ka reason deke! Your honour, Prayduman nahi janta tha ki Arya Mr. Arun ki beti hai! Woh kaise usse, property ke liye adopt kar sakta hai! Usne Arya ko adopt karne ka decision yeh baat pata chalne se pehle hi le liya tha! Aur toh aur jis Arya ke milne pe woh usse pehchan hi nahi paya uske maa baap ko woh kyu jaan bhujh kar mare ga?

Arya - Ho sakta hai woh pehchan gaye ho? Aur jhoot bol rahe ho... Mere parents ko dhundna sab ek natak ho?

Arjun - Agar aisa hai toh tumhe gayab kiya kisne tha? Police ne kitna dhunda tumhe par kahi nahi mili! Prime suspect tha Prayduman uss waqt! Uske ghar ki ya phir har uss jagah ki jiska Prayduman se koi bhi relation ho uski talashi li gayi thi. To find out if he had any relation or motive to kill Mr. Arun! But inn sab ke bich bhi tum nahi mili... Na hi kisi ko iss baat ka saboot ki tumhe Prayduman ne gayab kiya tha! Toh phir kisne kiya tumhe gayab? Aur kiya toh kiya phir tum uss din Prayduman ke ghar ke paas kaise pohchi? Aur baat natak ki... Toh woh toh yeh abhi kar hai (looking into ACP sir's eyes)... Iss chuppi ka! (To Arya) Beta bas itna hi kahuga tumse... Itni dur mat chali jana apne shak mai... Ki jab sach sabit ho wapis hi na aa pao! Puri duniya se lada tha woh tumhe adopt karne ko. Itni shiddhat se koi sirf apno ke liye lad sakta hai... Paiso ke liye nahi!

Judge - Would either of you like to question the witness?

              Both Arya and Abhijeet said no and hence ACP Arjun went back and settled on the seat when the judge once again said...

Judge - Ab bhi iss case mai aisi bohot si baate hai jo samne nahi aayi. Na saboot kafi hai na gawah. Now the next date shall be after two days. Defense, SIT aur prosecution ke paas 2 din ka waqt hai. Tab tak koi na koi pukhta saboot pesh kare! The court is adjurned...

               And the judge got up from his seat to leave. Leaving behind all others standing in their place. Soon all of them came out of the court and as team was standing with Veer and ACP Arjun, SIT officers along with Insp Dev and IG Pandit came there with ACP sir. Team kept looking at him with lots of emotions in their eyes but he was quietly walking away with the SIT officers when he suddenly stopped in his path and said...

ACP - Just one minute officers. (Turning to ACP Arjun) Arjun tumhe yaha kisne bulaya?

Arjun - Apni marzi se aaya hu! Koi problem hai tumhe?

            And finally ACP sir smiled... Smiled in dejection seeing the anger of his friend. While everyone else was shockingly happy... Cause finally after days that felt like ages ACP sir had some expression on his face. And being a silent spectator they watched two old friends talk...

ACP - Ab bhi naraz ho?

Arjun - Tumne narazgi dur hone ki koi wajh di?

ACP - Naraz ho toh aaye kyu ho?

Arjun - Kyuki narazgi aur nafrat mai farak hota hai! Narazgi woh hai jo mujhe tumse hai. Aur nafrat woh jo tum apne app se karte ho!

ACP - Mai kyu apne app se nafrat karuga?

Arjun - Agar nahi karte toh kuch bolte kyu nahi? Kyu apne app ko phasaye jaa rahe ho? Kyu inn (team) logo ko itni mehnat karni pad rahi hai tumhe begunah sabit karne mai? Kyu mujhe Delhi se yaha aana pada? Kyu apni hi beti ko apna dushman bante dekh rahe ho? Par sach nahi bol rahe!?! Kyu? Maza aaraha hai apne appko aur apno ko dard dene mai?

ACP - (with a smile) Tu ab bhi nahi badla Arjun. Waisa ka waisa hi hai!

                 And indicating them to walk on ACP sir sat into the police van with other officers and soon the van drove off. Leaving behind him so many unanswered questions... When after a moment of silence Arjun said to the team...

Arjun - Kuch baat karni hai tum logo se. Abhi kar sakta hu?

Abhijeet - Ha sir... Bilkul! Mere ghar chalte hai!

Arjun - Chalo!

               So they sat in car and drove off to Abhijeet's house... Veer and Arjun accompanying them...

*Abhijeet's house*

           All settled down with a juice in their hands when Daya said...

Daya - Sir first of all hum sab ki taraf se thank you! Apke bayan ne case ko kafi had tak badal diya! Thank you so much sir!

Arjun - Isme thanks ki koi baat hi nahi hai Daya. Dost hai woh mera. Ha thoda pagal hai (with a dejected smile). Par jaisa bhi hai dost toh hai hi! (After silence of a minute) Par jo bhi maine court mai kaha... Woh pura sach nahi tha... Aadha sach tha...

Purvi - Matlab sir?

Arjun - Jaisa maine court mai bataya... Prayduman ko Arya uske ghar ke paas mili thi... Aur usne meri baat mankar yeh bhi decide kar liya tha ki woh Arya ko adopt nahi karega aur orphanage chod dega. Par pata nahi kyu usne apna decision change kar liya... Ek hafte baad jab woh sari formalities karke usne duty phir se join ki usne mujhe bas itna bataya ki usne Arya ko adopt kar liya hai... Par baat bas itni nahi hai...

Daya - Yeh sir ne bataya tha hume... Ki Arya unhe kaise mili thi. Bataya tha matlab abhi kuch dedh mahine pehle. Jab unhone hume yeh bataya tha ki unki ek beti bhi hai. Aur uske kuch dino baad Arya wapis india aa gayi. Par yeh baat unhone hume bhi nahi batayi ki akhir unhone Arya ko adopt kiya kyu tha jab woh already usse orphanage mai chod chuke the!

Abhijeet - Ha sir. Hum naraz rahe unse kuch din ki unhone humse itni badi baat chupayi par phir bhi unhone hume kabhi nahi bataya ki chupane ke piche ki wajh kya thi! Sir ajj tak ajeeb si chuppi liye baithe hai. Pata nahi konsa raaz chupa rahe hai!

Arjun - Woh raaz toh mujhe bhi nahi pata. Usne mujhe bhi kabhi nahi bataya. Mai naraz hua usse ki usne aise hi apna decision change kar liya aur ek baar baat tak nahi ki mujhse yaa kisi se bhi. Aur jaise iss baar tum logo ki narazgi sehta raha par sach nahi bola usne tabhi bhi wahi kiya tha! Inn sab ke kuch mahino baad mera transfer Delhi ho gaya. Kaam hi aisa hai ki zayada waqt nahi milta. Aur tha bhi mai usse naraz isilye hum dono ki zayada baate nahi hoti thi. Par phir ek din... Achanak... 5 saal baad mujhe uska phone aaya. Bohot pareshan tha woh. Na hi na hello... Sidha mujhse pucha ki 'Arjun please ek help karde'. Mai kuch puchta uske pehle hi usne mujhse kaha ki mujhe US ki do tickets book karni hai. Arya ki aur Dai maa ki! Woh chahta tha ki US mai jo mera bhai rehta hai mai usse bolkar unn dono ka waha rehne ke liye ek ghar arrange karwa du. Maine pucha ki woh kudh kyu nahi jaa raha? Arya akeli kaise rahegi udhar? Kitne din ke liye? Akhir baat kya hai? Par mujhe ek bhi sawal ka jawab nahi mila aur usne bas itna ki kaha ki 'agar kabhi bhi mujhe apna sacha dost mana ho toh please bina kisi sawal ke mere liye itna kar de!' Manne ke alawa koi rasta nahi tha mere paas. Usne mujhe dono ke passports bijhwaye with life time visa aur maine unn dono ko bijhwa diya US. Baki arrangements waha mere bhai ne kar di. Uske baad bhi bohot baar pucha maine Prayduman se par usne kabhi kuch nahi bataya. Naraz toh mai waise hi tha usse. Mujhe aur gussa aaya aur maine usse baat karna hi band kar diya. Aur kuch waqt baad usne bhi pehal karna chod diya. Kyuki mai manne ko tayar nahi tha jab tak woh mujhe sach na bata de. Takriban 20 saal baad dekh raha hu usse ajj... Ek waqt jo mera sabse khaas dost hua karta tha! Naraz toh ajj bhi hu par kya karu... Usse bhool bhi toh nahi sakta!

Freddy - Par aisa kya hua hoga 5 saal baad ki ACP sir ne unn dono ko aise jald bazi mai US bejh diya!

Daya - Iska jawab Dai maa dengi!

To be continued...

                As you people already know... Dai maa is hiding some secret from the very beginning! And now the team is about to question her! So what will happen? Will the secret be out? To know keep reading and reviewing!