The Present - Chapter 15

           So am back with the next chapter! Go on and read... And yes don't forget to review! This chapter means a lot to me... So will the review for this one...

                             *Chapter 15*

*Day 1 (after the first summon), Beauro*

               ACP sir was busy studying the report of some case in his cabin while Daya, Freddy and Purvi were sitting on their respective desks making case files. Abhijeet and Pankaj had gone out for investigation of the on going case. A little while later Daya called Freedy and said...

Daya - Freddy ek kaam karoge?

Freddy - Ji sir, boliye na!

Daya - Yeh iss paper pe sir ki sign leke aao. Aur yaad rakhna sir ko yeh paper padne mat dena!

Freddy - Sir yeh wahi paper hai kya? Matlab woh Abhijeet sir ACP sir ka case ladne wale hai toh uspe sign...

Daya - Ha wahi hai. Le aaoge na sign

Freddy - Ji sir... Mai kuch karta hu.

*10 mins later*

Freddy - Yeh lijiye sir hogaya (forwarding the paper to Daya)

Daya - (happy) Kya baat hai Freddy! Itne jaldi le li sir ki sign! Kaise kiya?

Freddy - Kuch nahi sir bas ek case report mai chupa ke le gaya. Aur bol diya sir ko ki maine double check karli hai aur headquarters jaldi bejhna hai toh sign karde! Aur sir ne kardi!

Daya - Excellent!!!

Freddy - Lekin sir se iss tarah jhoot bolkar acha nahi laga sir. Unhone mujhpe vishwas karke sign kar diya aur maine...

Daya - I understand yaar. Acha toh mujhe bhi nahi lag raha. Lekin hum kar bhi kya sakte hai? Sir ko samjhane ki kitni koshish ki thi! Sab ne ki. Lekin woh manne ko tayar hi nahi hai.

Freddy - Hmm... Pata nahi sir ko hua kya hai. Woh aise kyu behave kar rahe hai. Apne app ko bachane ki itni si bhi koshish nahi kar rahe!

Daya - Lekin hum hai na. Aisa kuch hone nahi denge. Sir kuch bhi karle... Hum unhe bacha ke hi rahege!

Freddy - Yes sir. Unke liye kuch bhi!

             The remaining day passed being busy in cases and as they were late in going home for the night they couldn't think of what to do ahead...
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                The SIT had started with their investigation... IG (Inspector general of police) Shrikant Pandit was leading the investigation and under him Insp. Dev was the investigating officer (IO). He was one of the reputed officers in the city who always kept duty above everything! He was assisted by a team of capable officers who carried the investigation smoothly. Talking to all the people who were related to case, like ACP sir's past colleagues, friends, Arun and Gayatri Malhotra's friends and family and so much more was underway.
              Meanwhile duo used to dedicate all the time they could to this case after getting freed from the beauro. Abhijeet used to be busy with Veer while Daya would study the case file, make his assumptions and from them preliminary conclusions. Duo's investigation was pretty slow as they were ordered by the court to not interfere in the investigation of this case and hence they had to do everything secretly. Team used to help them in every possible way in finding out the information. Dr. Salunkhe used to keep ACP sir away from these matters, knowing that he would not allow them to do this secret investigation.
                 ACP sir's weird behaviour continued... He never said anything about what was happening around. He always used to be calm... So calm that it scared the team! House to beauro and beauro to house was all that he used to do... Work still being his first priority. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't hide the silence in his eyes from duo. And not only duo but the whole team had noticed how he was now not taking care of himself. Not taking meals on time and even when he used to, he didn't eat enough. His eyes that used to glitter with determination now looked tired from lack of sleep. He had started spending few extra hours in the beauro and everyone knew that this was so that he could distract himself from the happenings. For team, this made them determined like nothing else ever could! They wanted their dear ACP sir to back in his own form... Strong and courageous. And to get him back like that they were ready to go to any extent!

*Day 4, 10:00 pm*

             The whole beauro was dark except for the light that was glistening in ACP sir's cabin. It was him who had sent the team home a few hours ago as their duty hours were over and had stayed back alone as he didn't wish to go home today! Team tried denying knowing that he was going to stay here for a long night but having no other option they had to leave when he said that it was an 'order'.
                 A few open files were lying here and there on the table while his laptop was lying in front of him and ACP sir was staring at it with what seemed like all the concentration in the world... His chin rested on his left hand while his right one was kept on his desk holding a pen in it. His coat was hanging on the back of his chair and his tie was loosened up a little. Even the shirt that he was wearing looked a little crumbled now after going through the whole busy day. His eyes looked tired and so did his face. But nothing could convince him to go back home...

*A little while later*

          A pat on his shoulder brought him back from his thoughts and the sudden call shocked him...

ACP - Ha? (Looking at the person standing besides him). Tu hai! Kab aaya yaar? Maine dekha hi nahi tujhe!

Salunkhe - Mai tabhi aaya jab tum apne laptop ke wallpaper ko ghur rahe the!

ACP - (looking away) Ha... Woh... Woh

Salunkhe - Ha ha pata hai mujhe tumhe kaam hai. Tum wahi kar rahe the! Lekin ajj ka kaam katham ho gaya hai aur tum abhi issi waqt ghar chal rahe ho!

ACP - Aree yaar mai chala jauga na ghar! Abhi mujhe kaam karne de...

Salunkhe - Ha pata hai na mujhe tum 3/4 baje ke aas paas ghar chale hi jaoge! Lekin sirf subah 8 baje yaha aake wapis baithne ke liye!

ACP - Dekh Salunkhe! Mujhe abhi nahi jana hai ghar...

Salunkhe - (cutting him in between) Mai tumse puch bhi nahi raha ki tumhe jana hai ki nahi! Tumhare paas na jane ka option hai hi nahi! Utho chup chap aur chalo!

ACP - Yaar tu samjhta kyu nahi? Bachcha hu kya mai! Chala jauga na. Kaam hai... Woh toh karne de shanti se mujhe!

Salunkhe - Acha kaam hai? Toh jara app mujhe yeh batane ka kasht karenge ki konsa kaam kar rahe hai app?

ACP - Yeh dekh na! Dikh nahi raha kya! (Indicating to the open files lying on his desk)

Salunkhe - (Picking them up one by one) Hmm... Kitna important kaam hai na! Yeh Rohini murder case! Jo solve ho chuka hai already aur case file bhi ready hai iski! Aur ha yeh wala toh kuch zayada hi important hai! Iska toh court ne verdict bhi de diya hai! Aur yeh kya... Itna important kaam! Yeh solve hue case ki forensic report padne se zayada important kaam kya ho sakta hai!

              Not having an answer ACP sir thought that keeping silence was the best option that he had... While Salunkhe sir said after a deep silence...

Salunkhe - Tu kuch bole yaa na bole... Itne saalo mai itna toh jaan hi chuka mai apne dost ko, ki apna dard chupane ka bas ek hi tarika hai uske paas. Ki apne app ko itna busy rakho ki dard mehsoos hone ka waqt hi na mile! (Keeping a hand on ACP sir's hand... Who was looking down with closed eyes) Janta hu... Tu kisi ke samne kuch nahi bolta... Lekin tu apne app se kabse jhoot bolne laga yaar?

              Silence followed Dr. Salunkhe's words... A silence which comforted both the friends. And a minute later Dr. Salunkhe said patting ACP sir's back...

Salunkhe - Chal uth jaldi. Ghar chal... Bohot late ho gaya hai

              This time ACP sir got up without further resistance and till he picked up his coat and other things Salunkhe sir switched off his laptop, closed all the files and kept them on one side... Soon they came downstairs and sat in Dr. Salunkhe's car who took the driving wheel as ACP sir sat on the passenger seat.
               It was not long before Salunkhe sir's phone rang... It was kept below the music system of the car and before Salunkhe sir could even see the name of the caller ACP sir picked it up and taking the call, attached it to his ear... A shocked Salunkhe sir was staring at him with open mouth who soon understood why ACP sir did so as he got to know who the caller was... Left with no other option he just shook his head in a no and whispered 'ajj toh Abhijeet gaya'

*On call*

          Without waiting for the other person to say anything, Abhijeet started firing his questions...

Abhijeet - Hello sir apne ACP sir ko ghar chod diya? Maine kaha tha na mujhe phone kar dena! Apne phone kiya kyu nahi?! Shyam ko bol diya na apne ki sir ko dinner kara de? Agar woh na mane toh bhi kam se kam juice hi pila de! (After a second) Hello sir? App kuch bol kyu nahi rahe?

ACP - Kyuki tum mujhe bolne ka mauka hi nahi de rahe!

Abhijeet - Sir app! (Checking his phone to see if he had called Salunkhe sir only)

ACP - Sahi number lagaya hai tumne! Check karne ki zarurat nahi hai...

Abhijeet - Ab... Sir woh... Sir

              Salunkhe sir tried interrupting in between saying 'Boss do na... Mai karta hu baat' but he was silenced by ACP sir who ignored him completely...

ACP - Kya sir sir? Aage bhi bologe kuch?

Abhijeet - Sir woh na... Maine kuch nahi kiya! Yeh sab na Daya ki wajh se! Uska idea tha!

            Daya who was sitting besides Abhijeet hit him with his elbow with a what gesture! But our dear Abhijeet sir had no other option to escape ACP sir's anger except for phasaing Daya...

ACP - Pata hai mujhe ache se kiska idea tha Salunkhe ko bejhne ka! Kal milna beauro mai tum dono mujhe!

Abhijeet - Yes sir (sadly)

ACP - Hmm chalo phir bye!

Abhijeet - Sir ek minute! Woh na... Woh...

ACP - (waiting for him to complete, but soon realised his scared son won't be able to) Kar lunga dinner aur so bhi jauga time pe!

Abhijeet - (smiling) Thank you sir... Good night.

ACP - Good night. So jana tum dono bhi! Pata nahi ajj kal raat raat bhar jaagke kya karte rehte ho!

Abhijeet - Mai kuch nahi karta sir! Yeh Daya hi raat bhar jaagta rehta aur mujhe bhi nahi sone deta!

            This earned him another hit from Daya's elbow and ACP sir heard him say 'Tumhe har chiz ka bill mujhpe fhadna zaruri hai!'

ACP - (With a smile) Pareshan mat karo tum mere Daya ko samjhe! Pata hai mujhe zayada tar kichdi tumahare hi dimag mai pakti hai!

Abhijeet - (smiling sheepishly) Ji sir...

ACP - Good night. Take care.

Abhijeet - You too sir. Bye.

                 Cutting the call ACP sir kept the phone back on its previous place when Salunkhe sir said...

Salunkhe - Kyu dara rahe the bichare ko? Ha usne bejha tha mujhe lekin tumhari fikar thi tabhi bejha tha na!

ACP - Maine kaha daraya usse? Mai toh kuch bola bhi nahi. Woh aise hi dar gaya toh meri kya galti...

Salunkhe - Ab aise khadus wali aawaz mai baat karoge toh koi bhi dar hi jayega na!

ACP - Maine konsi khadus wali aawaz mai baat ki! Ab mai apne Abhijeet se thoda mazak bhi na karu! By the way tujhe kabse uski itni fikar hone lagi?

Salunkhe - Mujhe humesha se thi uski fikar samjha... Woh toh bas bichara kuch zayada hi dar gaya hoga!

ACP - Tere jaisa darpok nahi hai woh! Janta hai mujhe. (Emotionally) Aur kuch had se zayada hi pyar karta hai mujhse...
__________________________________________

               The time passed at its own pace and 2 days later SIT submitted its report to the court... And the court gave the date for the 2nd hearing for the day after tomorrow.

*Day 6, 8:30 pm*

              Arya was standing in the balcony of her room... That is the guest room in Rahul's house. While Rahul was sitting on a chair near her busy on a laptop...

Rahul - Kya soch rahi hai?

Arya - SIT ne jo information di hai uske bare mai...

Rahul - Hmm... SIT's report somewhere makes it clear that this was all a conspiracy by ACP sir...

Arya - And now its time Rahul... He will have to pay for all his deeds! For everything that he did! And i will make him regret for all of it!
__________________________________________

*Second hearing*

                The court filled and the judge arrived... All stood up in his respect and ACP sir took his place in the witness box... Settling down the judge said...

Judge - Let the case begin... (Seeing the place for ACP sir's lawyer still being empty) But before everything... Apki taraf se lawyer? (To ACP sir)

ACP - (Taking a deep breath) Your honour, meri taraf se koi lawyer nahi...

               But before he could complete his sentence Abhijeet entered the court from behind and said in a confident loud voice...

Abhijeet - Your honour, inki taraf se mai yeh case laduga.

ACP - What? Abhijeet yeh...

            Once again he didn't let ACP sir complete his sentence and said...

Abhijeet - (to judge, forwarding a file) Yeh sir ke sign kiye hue papers jinpe saaf likha hai ki he accepts me as his lawyer.

               Abhijeet didn't dare to look at ACP sir again while ACP sir was already giving him a deadly glare! Meanwhile after taking a glance at the papers given by Abhijeet the judge said...

Judge - Ok then, Prosecution please begin with the case...

Arya - Your honour Mr. Arun aur Miss Gayatri ke murder ka ilzam Mr. Prayduman par hai... Iss case ko 27 saal pehle investigate toh kiya gaya tha lekin aisi bohot si chize thi jo samne nahi aayi thi. Isilye court ne iss case ki reinvestigation ke liye SIT bithayi thi. Your honour uski report aa gayi hai!

Judge -  Give me the report please?

              Insp Dev forwarded the report which assistant gave to the judge... Judge took a quick glance at it and then ordered IG Shrikant Pandit to explain their investigation...
              Shrikant Pandit was a man in his mid 50s... Had a french beard neatly trimmed... His hair were short and coloured black. He was dressed in a sky blue shirt and a black blazer. He was a reputed officer and had an excellent track record. He was smart and obviously intelligent but also an honest cop. As called upon he came and stood in the other witness box and Arya coming close to him said...

Arya - So sir... Please app court ko bataiye ki apko investigation mai kya pata chala?

IG Pandit - Your honour... Court ke order pe meri team ne iss case ko phir se investigate kiya... Aur aisi bohot sari chize samne aayi jo pichli baar pata nahi chali thi. The first thing that i would like to clarify is... Ki yeh jo encounter hua tha jiske bich Mr Arun and Gayatri Malhorta ka khoon hua tha... Prayduman uss gang ke piche starting se nahi the. Yeh case lead karne ki permission unhone kudh higher authorities se mangi thi jiske baad yeh case unhe sopa gaya tha! Why? We don't know. Dusri important baat yeh hai ki Prayduman sloved this case miraculously fast! Jo pichli team iss case par kaam kar rahi thi worked hard for years... Lekin woh yeh case solve kar nahi paye the end tak... Not to forget woh gang jiska encounter hua tha was a high profile one! Lekin Prayduman ko yeh case milte hi ek hafte mai yeh case solve ho gaya. Akhiri aur sabse important baat jo hume pata chali hai woh yeh hai ki Mr. Prayduman knew Mr. Arun... To be precise Miss Gayatri from a lot before this incident!

Judge - Aur woh kaise?

IG Pandit - Your honour, Miss Gayatri ka cousin bhai, Vinay, Prayduman ka college friend tha. Aur jab humne Mr. Vinay se baat ki toh hume pata chala ki unhone toh Prayduman ko Miss Gayatri aur Mr. Arun ki wedding tak pe invite kiya tha!

Arya - Thank you so much sir for all your efforts. Thank you.

              As he was done with his part IG Pandit got down from the witness box and sat back in his place when Arya said...

Arya - So your honour with your permission i would like to question Mr. Prayduman!

Judge - Proceed!

Arya - Thank you... (Coming close to ACP sir) Toh app pehle se jante the na about Mr. Arun's wealth?

ACP - Ha...

Arya - Hmm... Toh aur kya kya jante the app Mr. Arun ke bare mai?

ACP - Zayada kuch nahi... Bas thoda bohot jitna mujhe Vinay ne bataya tha invite karte time...

Arya - Wahi toh puch rahi hu mai! Kya kya bataya tha Mr. Vinay ne apko?

ACP - Basic bate jitni koi invite karte time batata hai... Arun ka family background and all...

Arya - Family background! So your honour Mr. Prayduman pehle se jante the ki how wealthy Mr. Arun is... Aur woh yeh bhi jante the ki unki family mai aur koi nahi hai jo unke baad unki wealth ka haqdar ho!

Judge - Defence would you like to say something?

            Taking a deep breath Abhijeet finally got up from his chair... And said in a strong voice...

Abhijeet - No your honour... Mai wait kar raha hu ki kab Prosecution sahiba yeh prove karegi ki ACP sir ne hi yeh khoon kiya hai! ACP sir ka request karke yeh case apne under lena... Case ko jaldi solve kar lena ya phir unka Malhortas ko pehle se janna yeh kaise prove karta hai ki unka death ek socha samjha plan tha aur koi mistaken identity nahi? Miss Arya am sorry mujhe yeh baat samjh nahi aa rahi! App please explain karegi? Kya karu... Life ka pehla case hai na... App toh bohot experienced hai! Please do the honour of explaining it to me!

Arya - (with a smile) Waise lagta toh nahi hai ki apka pehla case hai! Agar app CID officer nahi bante toh lawyer bhi ban hi sakte the! Lekin yes... Jo sawal apne pucha hai uska jawab apko mera yeh witness dega jisko mai abhi bulane jaa rahi hu... Your honour with your permission i would like to call Sr. Insp Shekhar in the witness box

Judge - Hmm ok

                A man in his late 40s came and stood in the witness box. But instead of going to him Arya went to ACP sir and said...

Arya - Pehchana inhe?

ACP - (After thinking for a minute) Ha... Jab mai CBI mai tha tab yeh sub insp tha... Naya naya join kiya tha...

Arya - Good... Acha hua apko yaad hai... Meri thodi mehnat bacha li apne! Toh your honour... Yeh Insp Shekhar hai... He was a sub insp in CBI and had just joined jab yeh encounter hua tha. Lekin what is important here is... Encounter wale din inhone kya suna tha! (To Shekhar)... Please batiyiye ki apne uss din kya suna tha?

Shekhar - Your honour... Woh encounter wale din mai kisi kaam se sir ke pass gaya tha record room mai. Tab sir waha akele the aur kisi se baat kar rahe the phone pe. Toh mai unki baat katham hone tak ruk gaya. Tabhi sir ne phone pe kaha ki, 'Tum chinta mat karo... Kaam ho jayega. Aur kisi ko pata nahi chalega'.

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

Abhijeet - Yes your honour... (To Shekhar) Mr. Shekhar... Bas ek question hai mera... Yeh 27 saal purani baat apko ab tak yaad hai? Chalo yaad hai toh hai! Lekin itne achi tarah se? With every single detail? Ki sir uss waqt kaha the! App waha kyu gaye the? Sab kuch? How?

Shekhar - I know yeh baat vishwas karne layak nahi hai... Lekin yeh baat mujhe ajeeb lagi thi isilye yaad... Reh gayi!

Abhijeet - Hmm... Ajeeb lagi thi isilye yaad reh gayi! I understand... Lekin phir bhi! Manna padega apki yaaddash ko!

Arya - Mr. Shekhar ki yaaddash ko app baad mai maniyega... Pehle mujhe yeh batayiye ki apke sir aise konse kaam ki baat kar rahe thi jo katham ho gaya aur kisi ko pata bhi nahi chala?

            Not having an answer to Arya's question Abhijeet maintained silence... While Arya now said to the judge...

Arya - So your honour, baat kafi kuch clear hui hai... Mr. Prayduman pehle se Mr. Arun and Gayatri Malhorta ko jante the... Unki family background aur economic condition ko bhi! Toh its not very hard to believe that he planned to kill them for their wealth. Unka kudh request karke case apne under lena... Usse aise solve kar lena jaise unhone hi sab kuch plot kiya ho indicates somewhere that it was not a case of mistaken identity but a well planned murder! Also not to forget Insp. Shekhar's statement!

Abhijeet - Miss Arya... Agar apke alligations lagana ho gaye ho... Toh ab mai kuch bolu?

Arya - Sure! You don't need my permission!

Abhijeet - No... I do need your permission! Kyuki mere kuch sawal hai jinhe sirf app hi answer kar sakti hai! Puchu?

Arya - Go ahead...

Abhijeet - Thank you (with a smile)... Toh apne kaha ki sir ka yeh case apne under lena unke plan ka hissa tha? Right?

Arya - Ji haa...

Abhijeet - Toh kya app mujhe yeh bata sakti hai ki iss gang ka Mr. Arun and Gayatri se kya relation tha?

Arya - Matlab?

Abhijeet - Matlab yeh ki your honour, agar yeh maan bhi le ki yeh sab kuch ACP sir ne plan kiya tha jaisa Miss Prosecution ka kehna hai... Toh bhi is it not impossible for ACP sir to get Mr. Arun with his family there at the spot of encounter along with the gang at the same time? Dusri baat! Miss Arya i being a cop know this better and i hope apko bhi pata hoga ki we don't get to choose the place of encounter! Gang jaha hoti hai police waha jati hai... Police gang ko bulati nahi hai ki aao hume apka encounter karna hai! Uss gang ka jiska encounter karne sir gaye the aur Mr. Arun ka waha ek saath ussi waqt hona kaise possible hua unless and until ACP sir knew both of them? Sir didn't call the gang members there! And even if he did why would they come there to die? And sir not being any friends with Mr. Arun could not have possibly called him to that place!

Arya - Ho sakta hai he called Mr. Arun there on pretext of something?

Abhijeet - Ho sakta hai! Hua toh nahi na! Also... Agar ACP sir Mr. Arun ko bohot pehle se jante the, matlab ki unki shaadi ke time se, toh why on earth did he wait 3 long years after his marriage to kill him?

Arya - Cause then he was no way a heir to his property... He had no claim over it! But after adopting Mr. Arun's daughter, that is me, he had a claim over it!

Abhijeet - What are you trying to say Miss Arya? Ek aadmi jiska dusre aadmi se koi lena dena hi nahi hai sirf usse ek baar mila tha uski shaadi mai... After 3 long years out of blue he plans to kill him for his property? Woh bhi uski beti ko adopt karke, 18 saal tak usse paal pos kar bada karne ke baad jab usse property milegi? Does this even make sense to any sane man?

Arya - Ok then tell me why did he trick me to sign those property papers as soon as i turned 18? Mujhe ek wajh batayiye aur mai yeh case wapis le lungi! (After a silence) Can you?

To be continued...

                Kya lagta hai? Kya jawab denge Abhi sir? Socho socho! Aur tab tak review bhi kar do!
                Yes... Please do tell me if the court scenes were clear... I hope it wasn't confusing but in case it was feel free to tell me! Keep reading...

The Present - Chapter 14

           Hello! Shocked to see me? Ki mai itni jaldi yaa better say sahi time pe kaise aa gayi? Hehehe. Iss baar jaldi hogaya chappy likhke. But this one is a short one. Plz bear with it!
            Also... From this chapter the court scenes begin. Me being a layman and a stranger to this field is bound to make many mistakes. Also some things may be changed a little for the purpose or plot of the story. For eg. The proceedings of the case in High Court takes only in English language. But i will be using Hindi for feel. Or else it won't make the same impact. Same way some other minor things might be changed. Hopefully you all will be ok with it. And yes all thanks to my dear friend Aparna Patil that am able to write this story. She is the one who has been and is still guiding me with all the facts about law and court. Without her this wouldn't have been possible!

                            Chapter 14

           Hammer on the judge's table, the statue of justice, national emblem on the wall behind the judge's chair and a weighing scale... All stood tall in the courtroom, indicating that justice would prevail! The judge was yet to arrive and all others had already taken their place.
           ACP sir was standing near the witness box... His face being all calm and relaxed. As if nothing at all had happened! Duo and Salunkhe sir were sitting on the seats behind for public. While Arya was sitting on her place as a lawyer and Rahul was sitting besides her as her assistant. The place for ACP sir's lawyer was lying vacant! Soon the judge arrived and all stood up in his respect. Arya came and stood in her place. And ACP sir came and stood in the witness box. And as judge came he looked at the papers of the case already kept on his table. After studying them for a while he said...

Judge - So prosecution... Apne iss case ko reopen karane ke liye petition file ki thi! And the court has accepted your petition against a decorated officer of this country. Now i hope apke paas enough proofs honge to prove something!?

              The whole court was silent. There was no voice at all as everyone waited for Arya's answer. She said after a brief silence.

Arya - Yes your honour... I am sure i will be able to prove him guilty

            She said the last words looking at ACP sir. But ACP sir's expressions didn't change even the slightest! Struggling so that she doesn't go weak looking in her father's eyes... She looked back at the judge again and said...

Arya - Aur apne jin sabuto ki baat ki... Wahi toh dhundne hai! Your honour, jab 27 saal pehle iss case ki investigation hui thi tab bohot sari aisi chize thi jo yaa toh pata hi nahi chali yaa phir pa (stopping in between saying Papa)... Mr. Prayduman ke contacts ke karan daba di gayi! Your honour, iss case mai aisa koi saboot nahi tha jo yeh prove karta ho ki Mr. Prayduman begunah hai. He was cleared of all charges on benefit of doubt. But aisi bohot sari chize hai jo uss waqt samne aayi hi nahi thi. Aur agar yeh case phir se investigate hota hai toh samne aa sakti hai.

            After thinking for a minute judge asked ACP sir...

Judge - Apki taraf se lawyer kon hai?

               This was what duo wanted to know since 3 long days. They looked at ACP sir in expectation when ACP sir said with the same calmness...

ACP - Mera koi lawyer nahi hai your honour...

Judge - Ok... Ajj nahi hai toh theek hai. Mai apko next hearing tak ka time deta hu. Tab tak you may arrange someone.

                ACP sir wanted to say something beyond this but then decided against it and kept silent. He hadn't noticed duo and Salunkhe sir who were looking at him in anger, fear and disappointment! They had expected him to have a plan to prove himself innocent! They had thought that this calmness of his was a result of the way out that he knew... But to their shock ACP sir had not even talked to any lawyer to get himself represented before the court! What on earth was sir thinking and why? They didn't know! In the same thoughts, they heard the judge say...

Judge - Ok... So the court is accepting this case. It shall be investigated again as it maybe possible that some things of importance did not come out previously.

Arya - Thank you your honour... Bas ek request hai. Jab yeh case court ne accept kar hi liya hai toh iss case ki re - investigation CID ko na di jaye... Aur unhe iss case se dur rakha jaye. For obvious reasons that they will protect their boss!

               She looked at duo when saying this and duo looked back at her with burning eyes. But those made no difference to her and she looked back at the judge waiting for his answer!

Judge - Hmm... Ok... The court orders Maharashtra police to form a SIT for this case... Aur jaise hi SIT unki investigation ki first report submit karte hai we will keep the next hearing of the case. Also CID must stay away from this case and from the officers of SIT. Or else strict action will be taken against them! The court is adjourned till the next hearing...

(SIT - The Special Investigation Teams or SIT are a specialized team of officers in Indian law enforcement consisting of personnel trained to investigate serious crimes. The SIT is formed when the existing investigative agencies are not perceived to be able to conduct a proper investigation in the matter. The sole purpose of SIT is to conduct free and fare investigation and bring the culprit to justice.)

              The judge stood up and left leaving behind all others who were standing while he left. ACP sir came down from the witness box and straight walked out towards their car. Duo and Salunkhe sir followed him back with angry faces. And as they reached near him they saw him waiting outside the car. Daya opened the car as he had the keys and all settled inside. Daya on the driving wheel, ACP sir on the passenger seat and Abhijeet accompanied by Salunkhe sir were sitting behind. All three of them were super angry on a ACP sir and ACP sir knew this but maintained silence waiting for the volcano to burst on him. Soon when the not even the AC of the car could calm them Salunkhe said...

Salunkhe - Ab janab hume yeh batane ka kasht karege ki apne koi lawyer kyu nahi kiya?

             ACP sir didn't answer his question and kept looking out of the window like he previously was... Salunkhe sir said again...

Salunkhe - Kuch puch raha hu mai! Jawab toh do!

            Sighing ACP sir continued looking out of the window and then said in a low voice...

ACP - Kyuki mujhe lawyer nahi karna...

Salunkhe - Aur woh kyu? Tum kya apna case kudh ladoge? Abhijeet, Daya Veer se baat karke aaye the na! Woh humara case lene ko tayar hai! Toh kyu nahi mane unki baat!?

Daya - Sir app jante hai Arya kitni achi lawyer hai! If there's someone who can stand her in the courtroom its only Veer!

Salunkhe - Daya sahi keh raha hai boss! Baat ko samjho! Abhi bhi waqt hai. Judge ne kudh kaha hai na ki next hearing tak lawyer le aana. Toh ab toh maan jao?

ACP - Maine kaha na mujhe koi lawyer nahi chahiye. Toh nahi chahiye. Mujhe iss baat pe koi argument nahi karni!

              He declared with the same calmness... The calmness which was now scaring all three of them. Soon ACP sir's house arrived and he left silently without saying anything further. His words and especially the tone of those words had already shut up all three of them and hence without uttering anything all three of them left from the there towards Daya's home as it was nearest and today they had a lot to talk and discuss about!

*Daya's house*

            Abhijeet and Salunkhe sir were sitting on the couch busy in thoughts when Daya came out of the kitchen with three cups of coffee in a tray and kept it on the centre table. Taking a cup each they were thinking about the day's happenings and Salunkhe sir said breaking the silence, gritting his teeth...

Salunkhe - Court ne toh SIT bhi appoint kar di aur yeh janab hai ki inko toh lawyer hi nahi chahiye!

Daya - Mujhe toh samjh nahi aa raha sir ko ho kya gaya hai! Jabse woh notice aayi hai ajeeb behave kar rahe hai!

Abhijeet - Jaisa hum soch rahe the ki unke paas koi plan hoga waisa kuch bhi nahi hai (dejected)

Daya - Phas jayege hum agar aisa hi chalta raha toh! We need to do something!

Abhijeet - Acha ruko mai Veer ko puchta hu woh yaha aa sakta hai kya! Shayad woh kuch bataye ki kya kar sakte hai

Daya - Hmm... Karo phone.

*An hour later*

               Veer was luckily free at the moment and hence came to Daya's house soon enough. Duo explained to him all that happened in the court and understanding the situation he said...

Veer - Lekin sir aisa kar kyu rahe hai! Agar koi lawyer rakhege hi nahi toh unhe represent kon karega?

Daya - (Spreading a hand on his face in tension) Wahi toh nahi pata.

Salunkhe - Mujhe toh Prayduman pe itna gussa aa raha hai ki kya batau! Dimag kharab ho gaya hai uska!

Veer - Arya jitni achi lawyer hai na... Woh choti si baat se bhi court mai prove kar degi ki ACP sir guilty hai! Aur ab toh iss case pe SIT bhi appoint ho gayi hai. Jayada waqt nahi hai humare paas. Sir ko kaise bhi karke manana hi padega lawyer rakhne ke liye.

              Abhijeet who was silent until now spoke up in a dejected tone...

Abhijeet - Aur mujhe nahi lagta woh manege! Jaise unhone na bola tha na... Woh apna faisla badle nahi wale...

Salunkhe - Aur nahi manege toh kya tum ladoge uska case? Ki mai ladu! Yaa phir woh kudh ladne wala hai! (In anger)

Daya - Waise idea bura nahi hai!

              Daya said with a spark in his eyes...

Abhijeet - Hain?

Veer - Kehna kya chahte ho tum?

Daya - Yehi keh raha hu ki idea bura nahi hai! Abhijeet sir ka case lad sakta hai!

Abhijeet - Daya tumhe pata bhi hai tum kya bol rahe ho? Mai kaise lad sakta hu sir ka case?

Daya - Mai janta hu mai kya bol raha hu. Dekho we as a close associate of ACP sir have a right to fight his case in the court! Am I right Veer?

Veer - Ha bol toh tum sahi rahe ho. Jis par case hua hai court usse apni baat rakhne ka pura mauka deti hai. And agar woh chahe toh kudh ka case kudh lad sakta hai yaa phir uska koi apna ya karibi bhi usss represent kar sakta hai in the court!

Daya - Exactly! Mai yehi toh keh raha hu. Dekho Abhijeet sir nahi manege lawyer rakhne ke liye. Yeh baat hum sab jante hai! Toh agar hum kisi tarah se, matlab unhe bina bataye unki papers par sign lele where its written that you are the one who will represent him in the court... Humara kaam ban jayega!

Salunkhe - Lekin agar aise hi uski sign leni hai toh Abhijeet ke liye kyu le? Veer ke liye kyu nahi?

Daya - Kyuki sir, agar hum aisa karte hai toh jab Veer court mai bolega ki mai unka lawyer hu toh sir mana kar denge! Koi fayeda nahi hoga yeh sab karne ka. Aur aise mai Veer phas jayega! Lekin hum agar Abhijeet ke naam par sign lenge toh sir aisa nahi bolege...

Salunkhe - Bol toh sahi rahe ho tum!

Abhijeet - Aree kya sahi bol rahe ho? Sir app bhi Daya ki chalti gadi mai chad gaye! Yaar mai kaise laduga case? Mai lawyer thodi na hu! Woh bhi Arya ke against... She has a 100% track record! Woh zindagi mai ek bhi case nahi hari aur mai zindagi mai ek bhi case nahi lada!

Daya - Mai janta hu Abhijeet mushkil hai. Lekin tum kar loge! Humare paas aur koi rasta bhi toh nahi hai!

Abhijeet - Aisa hai toh tum lado na case!

Daya - Tumhari arguing skills mujhse achi hai!

Abhijeet - Tujhse toh ajj tak ek bhi argument nahi jeeta mai (he grumbled)

Daya - (making a face) Ha toh yeh wala bhi nahi jeet rahe tum! Tum hi ladoge sir ka case and this is final!

Abhijeet - Salunkhe sir app lad lo please? (He said with cutely looking at him in hope)

Salunkhe - Mujhse toh bilkul nahi hoga! Tum log kamse kam court ke chakkar toh lagate rehte ho! Mai toh bas reports bejhta hu! Mai toh bilkul nahi.

             Abhijeet now sadly looked at Daya and tried one last time...

Abhijeet - Freedy, pankaj yaa purvi? Yaa phir tarika?

               Instead of Daya, Veer answered him this time...

Veer - Dekho Abhijeet Daya ka idea ajeeb zarur hai lekin galat nahi hai! Am saying this as a lawyer... Tumme woh sari skills hai jo ek ache lawyer mai honi chahiye. You a have a good control over your emotions, you argue well and you don't panic! Also you are not a complete stranger to this field. Tum kar loge! And yes mai toh hu hi na tumhari help karne. I will be there in the court for every hearing and i will help you whenever possible!

           Now Abhijeet seriously thought about Veer's words. They were not completely wrong. Abhijeet was nervous but he knew they had no other way out and they had to do this. He thought of ACP sir and he suddenly felt a energy rising within him. Energy fulled by love and respect. He knew he had to save him and could go to any extent to save him! Fighting his case in the court was the least he could do for his father. For the man who ment the world to him.
               Seeing him nervous Daya got up from his seat and sat besides Abhijeet and put a arm on his shoulder. And said after a silence of a minute...

Daya - Mai janta hu tum kar loge... Mujhe pura vishwas hai tumpar...

Abhijeet - Lekin mujhe nahi hai! Agar maine kuch gadbad kardi toh uska khamiyaza sir ko bhugatna padega!

Daya - Mere vishwas par toh vishwas karo Abhi? Tumhi toh kehte ho ki I know you better than you know yourself! Toh phir trust me, tum kar loge!

            Abhijeet thought for a moment and then leaving a sigh said...

Abhijeet - Chalo phir bhai Veer... Karao mujhe law ka crash course!

To be continued...

             Hmm... So its Abhijeet sir who is going to be ACP sir's lawyer in the court! Bola tha na... You will see Abhijeet sir in a very different from in this story! This was it! Liked the idea or no? Do tell me! Cause it matters! So please review...

The Present - Chapter 13

             Hellooooo... Am back with the next chapter! Missed me? Maine toh bohot miss kiys app logo ko! But couldn't help! Exams and then had to go attend a wedding! Now that am back, here's the chappy! Go on and read! But before that here's a recap to help you out remember what happened till now!

Recap -

           Arya Prayduman a well known defence lawyer of USA is now back in India after 22 years... With her father ACP Prayduman. She has bonded well with the whole team in so less time. But as she comes back she starts discovering truths of her own life... From notes leading to abandoned bungalow... To hospital and then police station... Where she finds that her biological parents were killed by her own father, ACP Prayduman. In her dilemma she decides to go to her father and ask him all that was going in her mind but in those thoughts she faces a dangerous accident... She has told about her dilemma to her best friend Rahul as he came to India after knowing about her accident. Rahul went on to investigate the things further and for the same met Arya's biological father's lawyer Mr. Raghuveer Jagdishwar who told him that the fact that Arya's parents were killed by ACP sir is true. Also he told him about Arya's father's property which was transferred to Arya as soon as she turned 18 by him. But when Rahul went to LRO office he found out that the property was now registered under ACP sir's name and no more was Arya's. He comes back to hospital and tells all this Arya... Arya receives a shock of her life and in hurt and anger moves out from hospital and going home says a lot of things to ACP sir. Duo now know about all the happenings that have taken place. Arya has filed a writ petition against ACP sir in the court to reopen that 27 year old case where ACP sir killed her parents.
              ACP sir is carrying a secret in his heart only known to him and Dai maa... A secret that can create a havoc in many lives if revealed.

                            Chapter 13

             Tang! The pendulum of the wall clock made a sound. Indicating it was 2 o'clock now. Hearing the sound ACP sir looked at the clock and then noticed the time. Said...

ACP - 2 baj gaye! Mai itni der kaise sota reh gaya! Beauro ke liye kitna late ho gaya hai! (To duo) Aur tum dono bhi yehi ho abtak? Beauro kyu nahi gaye? Waha pe kon dekhega sab!

              Duo and Salunkhe sir were shocked to see ACP sir's such reaction! He didn't utter a word about what Arya had done. Didn't he hear that she had filed a writ petition in the court to reopen that case? Abhijeet tried saying...

Abhijeet - Sir yeh... (Indicating towards the notice)

ACP - (Cutting him in between) Acha mai 10 minute mai ready hoke aata hu. Tum dono tab tak gadi nikalo! Aur Salunkhe tu bhi! Lab nahi jana kya? Chal tu bhi ready ho. Lab drop kar denge hum tujhe!

              And he immediately went back in his room to get ready while duo along with Salunkhe sir were looking at each other confused...

Daya - Yeh sir ko kya hua hai? Iske bare mai soch hi nahi rahe!

Salunkhe - Mujhe bhi kuch samjh nahi aa raha. Yeh toh aise react kar raha hai jaise kuch hua hi nahi ho! Ajj ki baat toh alag, isne toh kalke bare mai bhi kuch nahi bola! As if nothing happened!

Abhijeet - (taunting Salunkhe sir) Sir yeh apne aisa kya khila diya tha sir ko kal?

Salunkhe - Maine toh bas neend ki goli hi... (Realising that Abhijeet was taunting him) Tum! Aisa kuch nahi khilaya hai maine usse!

Abhijeet - (with a naughty smile) Mai kaise maan lu?

Daya - Yaar lekin sach mai. ACP sir aise kyu react kar rahe hai?

Salunkhe - Wahi toh mujhe samjh nahi aa raha!

Abhijeet - Pata nahi sir kya karne wale hai. Agar aur kuch nahi toh 'Arya' ne sir ke khilaf petition file ki hai! Beti hai woh unki! Kamse kam iss baat pe toh in unhe react karna tha na. But he didn't!

                 Before they could say anything further ACP sir came out of his room dressed up in his formals now. And said...

ACP - Aree! Tum dono yehi khade ho ab tak? Gadi nahi nikali. Aur Salunkhe tu bhi ready nahi hua! Chalo jaldi karo!

             He hurried down the staircase while duo and Salunkhe sir kept looking at each other in utter confusion, still standing at their previous position. When Daya leaving a sigh said to sir...

Daya - Sir...

ACP - Ha?

Daya - Sir woh yeh (showing the notice that had just come)

ACP - (cutting in between) Inn sab ka time nahi hai abhi. Baad mai baat karege iske bare mai. Abhi chalo jaldi!

                Having no other option duo and Salunkhe sir quickly got ready and then left for beauro. The journey passed in an uncanny silence with no one knowing what to talk about. Soon they reached beauro and got busy in the new case that was reported. It kept them busy the whole day and duo didn't get a single chance to talk to ACP sir today. ACP sir directly left for his home from the crime scene and hence duo couldn't grab any opportunity to get the things cleared. While they left for their respective houses themselves deciding to talk about all the happenings the next day.
               The next day arrived but things didn't change. Duo were still waiting for their chance but ACP sir only informed them on call that he wouldn't be coming to beauro today as he had some meeting with seniors. As the day passed and evening arrived duo started getting impatient as now they had only one day left for the court's summon and they hadn't even talked to any lawyer! They knew ACP sir was avoiding them. Not exactly them but he was trying to avoid talking on this matter. Why? They didn't know!

*Evening, Beauro*

             Duo were sitting in cafeteria having coffee after a tiring day at beauro. When Abhijeet said...

Abhijeet - Daya parso court ki hearing hai! Aur hume ab tak nahi pata ki karna kya hai!

Daya - Ha Abhijeet... Mai bhi yehi soch raha tha. Hume kisi lawyer se baat karni chahiye!

Abhijeet - Ha karni hi padegi. Lekin sir se toh baat ho! Woh kuch toh bataye ki aage karna kya hai.

Daya - Hmm... Sir se puche bina hum kaise koi action le sakte hai! Time nikla jaa raha hai yaar! Sirf ek din baki hai! Aur sir hai ki baat samjh hi nahi rahe!

Abhijeet - Mujhe toh lag raha hai sir iss baat ko jaan bujh ke avoid kar rahe hai. Aur issi wajh se hume bhi!

Daya - Lekin kyu? Jo situation hai usse face toh karna hi padega na... Iss tarah usse bhaagne se kya milega!

Abhijeet - Dekho baat jo bhi ho! Lekin hum iss tarah haat pe haat rakhe toh nahi baith sakte na! Humare paas itna waqt nahi hai!

(After a minute of silence)

Daya - Kisi lawyer se baat kare?

Abhijeet - Yehi sahi rahega! Ek kaam karte hai Veer se baat karte hai!

Daya - Perfect! Mai call karta hu usko. Ajj raat ko hi mil lenge usse.

Abhijeet - Theek hai... Raat ko chalte hai phir.

*8:00 pm*

             Abhijeet and Daya entered a huge multistorey glass building. Took a lift to 14th floor and then after talking to the receptionist entered the cabin of Advocate Veer Khanna. Veer was a common friend of duo and a well known and among the best lawyers in the country. Duo and Veer first met years ago when Veer was once kidnapped in his initial days of law practice by goons of a big politician against whom Veer was fighting a case. Duo saved his life then and slowly staying in contact being from the same field their friendship grew stronger with time. Veer was never afraid to fight any case against any big name and always stood by the right. He had many a times before helped out duo in matters of court and same way duo were the ones who used to come to his rescue whenever he used to land in trouble for being at enemy with powerful people. Slowly duo had developed bonds with Veer beyond work too. They used to hang out together often. And duo were pretty sure it was only Veer who could this time help them and ACP sir out of this mess.
              Opening the glass door of the cabin duo entered inside and seeing them Veer got up from his chair and greeted them with a huge smile. Veer was a young man in his early 30s. Was almost of Abhijeet's height and had fair complexion. Neither fat nor slim. He had a perfectly built body. He was today dressed in formals consisting of a black pant and light blue shirt which was neatly tucked in. A smart watch in hand and perfectly combed hair. He had light beard and moustache. His lawyer's coat was hanging behind on the back rest of his chair. An open laptop in front of him while he was holding a pen in his hand while making notes on a notepad kept besides him. Veer welcomed them with a tease...

Veer - Chalo finally kisi ko yaad toh aaya ki iss duniya mai Veer naam ka ek nachiz bhi exist karta hai.

Abhijeet - Aree yaar. Ab taane mat maar! Ek ke baad ek cases tapak rahe the toh hum kya kar sakte hai.

Veer - Ha ha pata hai bohot busy rehte ho tum dono! Phone tak karne ki phursat nahi hoti (with a fake sad face)

Daya - Abe oye nautanki! Tu bhi toh kar sakta hai na phone. Yeh tera iPhone X kya sirf games khelne ke liye bana hai?

Veer - Huh... Mere games ko kuch mat bolna! Kitna maza aata hai tum logo ko kya pata. Tum logo jaisa boring insan nahi hu mai!

Daya - Chalo Abhijeet baith jao kamse kam! Kisi ko toh samne wale ko seat offer karne ke tak etiquettes nahi!

Veer - Oye! Baat toh aise kar raha hai jaise har baar puch kar baithte ho!

Abhijeet - Ha toh bhi offer toh karni chahiye na!

Veer - Mai abhi peun ko bula kar seats bahar karwata hu! Zameen pe hi baitho tum dono!

Daya - Acha. Tujhe agar apne hi office mai zameen pe baithne ka shok hai toh bol. Kyuki hume niche baitha ke tujhe toh chair pe baithne nahi denge hum (with a smirk)

Veer - Kitne bure ho tum dono! Baitho jaha baithna hai!

             Soon after some more teasing and leg pulling all three of them settled comfortably with some snacks and juice for which Veer insisted a lot as it was ...

Veer - Hmm... Toh Daya tum phone pe bol rahe the ki kuch important discuss karna hai? Kya baat hai? Sab theek toh hai na?

Daya - Ha batata hu. Actually ACP sir ek problem mai phas gaye hai. Woh hua yeh ki...

              And then Daya explained Veer about all that had happened till date. About how they came to know about Arya, how she came back from US and about the writ petition... After he finished saying it all Veer said...

Veer - Yaar mujhe toh vishwas hi nahi ho raha ki ACP sir ki koi beti bhi hai!

Abhijeet - Pehle pehle toh hume bhi nahi hua tha. Aur jaise hi humari usse thodi bohot bonding hui yeh sab ho gaya. I still can't believe Arya ACP sir ke against court tak jaa sakti hai!

Daya - Shak insan se kya kya nahi karwata Abhijeet!

Veer - True! Apne hi pita par case kar diya usne. Waise iss Arya ke bare mai suna hai maine! She was no. one lawyer in the whole of US. Jiske piche pad jati hai usse chodti nahi. I have heard a lot about her skills in the courtroom!

Abhijeet - Hmm... Iss baar humari takkar Arya the lawyer se hai. Sir ke beti se nahi!

Veer - Ha lekin takkar lene ke liye pehle mujhe sir se baat bhi toh karni padegi! Unse uss 27 saal pehle hue case ke bare puchna padega. I will have to prepare my point of view to the case! Ha main janta hu ACP sir paiso ke liye kisi ki jaan nahi le sakte! Lekin mujhe case ladne ke liye pehle case study toh karna padega na! Aur baki sab dur ki baat... Kuch nahi toh he first needs to appoint me as his lawyer!

Abhijeet - Ha Veer i understand. Lekin yehi toh problem hai! Sir iss matter pe baat karne ko tayar hi nahi hai. He is simply avoiding it!

Veer - I just don't understand why will he avoid it! Jab petition court ne accept kar hi liya hai toh iss baat se bhaaga ja hi nahi sakta! Unko court toh jana hi padega na. If he doesn't plan this out now he will definitely land in trouble in the court.

Daya - Hmm... Hum iske baad sir ke ghar hi jate hai. Dekhte hai kya hota hai phir.

Abhijeet - Ha... Ghar par toh woh avoid nahi kar payege na hume.

Veer - You both better do it. Dekho pehli baat toh case 27 saal purana hai. So iss case mai saboot toh exist karna is near to impossible. Sirf gawah honge jinke bayano pe yeh case chalega. Arya ka case zayada strong nahi hai. Tum log bata rahe ho na ki usne kya kya investigation kiya hai. And based on that uske paas sir ko guilty prove karne wala koi pukhta proof nahi hai. Kuch hai toh woh hai sirf ek theory... Ki kaise ACP sir ne uski puri property apne naam karli and ho sakta hai ki issi reason se sir ne uske biological mom dad ka khoon plan kiya ho in form of encounter. Lekin yeh jo 'ho sakta hai' hai na... Woh humara sabse important point hai. As ek baar iss case ki investigation hoke sir ko clean chit dedi gayi thi! We have a strong point here. Lekin phir bhi the fact that court has accepted this case works against us. Kyuki court ko toh yeh case accept karna hi nahi chahiye tha! So Arya has already won the first battle of getting the petition accepted! Humara case strong hai! But seeing Arya's calibre she will definitely make her case strong and will not leave this here. Tum dono kaise bhi karke ACP sir ko samjhao! We need to work hard on this one. Jitna easy yeh abhi dikh raha hai utna hai nahi. Agar Arya ke paas sir ko guilty prove karne ke liye saboot nahi hai toh humare paas bhi sir ko begunah prove karne ka koi saboot nahi hai. As you told he was cleared of all charges 27 years ago on benefit of doubt and considering his previous good record... Matlab yehi hai ki there's no proof of him being innocent! Aur tum dono se behtar yeh koi nahi janta ki court sirf saboot dekhti hai. Arya will continue her investigation and if she is somehow able to find something against ACP sir... Sir ko saza hone se koi nahi bacha payega!

Daya - Hmm... Hum sir se baat karte hai abhi unke ghar jake. Tum sir ka case toh loge na? Matlab you will represent him in the court?

Veer - Obviously lunga yaar! Kaisi baat kar rahe ho! Is this even a question?! I will do everything that i can for him... Aur chinta mat karo... Kuch nahi hoga. Mai janta hu woh innocent hai. And i will prove this! Tum log bas sir se baat kar lo... Only when he wants and he says that he wants me to represent him, mai sirf tabhi unka case lad pauga.

Abhijeet - Thank you so much Veer! Thank you so much! Hum sir se ajj hi baat karte hai. Phir kal bata denge tumhe unhone kya bola woh. Aur agar possible hua toh sir se bhi baat karwa denge tumhari. Tum case ke bare mai jo kuch bhi puchna hai... Jo bhi information chahiye ho le lena sir se!

Veer - Sure!

Daya - Chalo ab hum nikalte hai. Tumhe bhi ghar jane late ho raha hai. Chalo bye. Take care!

Veer - Ha bye. Mujhe batana kal kya baat hoti hai.

Abhijeet - Ha batate hai! Bye.

                And soon duo left his office for ACP sir's house. After a drive of half an hour duo reached sir's house and rang the bell. Shayam opened the door this time and as duo entered they were greeted by Dai maa. So she was back now after coming to know all that had happened.

Dai maa - Aree app dono... Aao na beta andar.

Abhijeet - Ji... App kab aayi wapis?

Dai maa - Abhi 2 ghante pehle. Beta sab theek toh hai na? Yeh Arya ne sahab pe case kar diya?

Daya - Ha kiya toh hai. Lekin app chinta mat kijiye... Hum sir ko kuch nahi hone denge.

Dai maa - Lekin Arya aisa kar kaise sakti hai! Ho kya gaya hai usko! Woh sahab ke bare mai aisa soch bhi kaise sakti hai!

Daya - Yehi toh hume bhi samjh nahi aa raha. Itna bhi vishwas nahi hai sir pe usko.

Dai maa - Mai baat karugi usse. Meri baat kabhi nahi talti woh... Bolugi usse ki yeh case wapis le le (she said with teary hopefull eyes)

                Abhijeet consoled her keeping a hand on her shoulder and after a silence of a moment asked..

Abhijeet - ACP sir kaha hai?

Dai maa - Apne kamre mai... Jab se beauro se aaye hai kamre se nikle hi nahi!

Daya - Hum dekhte hai.

             And then duo climbed up the stairs upto ACP sir's room and slowly knocked on the door. First they didn't get any reply and when they knocked the second time, they heard ACP sir say...

ACP - Darwaza khula hai. Aa jao

               Duo pushed open the door slowly to find ACP sir sitting in the balcony of his room on his cane chair. The room was dimly lit in yellow lights while the lights of the balcony were switched off.
                Leaning on the backrest of the chair ACP sir was staring into the beautiful night sky. Today was a clear night making stars and moon clearly visible. The light of the full moon today was giving a beautiful sparkling shine to the balcony. While ACP sir unaffected by anything was silently staring at the sky with a half filled glass of juice in his hand.
               Duo slowly walked to him and still standing near the open sliding glass door of the balcony called him out in a low voice...

Abhijeet - Sir...

               Finally this gained them his attention and shocked to see them here at that hour of the night he said...

ACP - Tum dono... Iss waqt yaha?

Daya - Nahi aa sakte kya sir?

ACP - Aree nahi nahi. Aao na baitho (he said indicating to the seats in front of him)

             Duo settled on the chairs and then before they could start ACP sir said again...

ACP - Juice loge? Yaa dinner hi manga du? Shayam yehi la dega! Waise bhi kafi late ho gaya hai!

Daya - Nahi sir. Hume kuch nahi chahiye.

Abhijeet - (deliberately) Hum abhi Veer ke yaha se nashta kar ke aa rahe hai.

ACP - Hmm... Bolo kya bolna hai?

Abhijeet - Sir app jante hai hume kya bolna hai! (In a low voice)

ACP - Mai kaise bata sakta hu ki kya bolna chahte ho tum dono?

Daya - Sir please? Parso court ki hearing hai! Iss baat ko aise ignore karne se problem solve toh nahi hogi na!

ACP - (Looking away) Mai kaha kisi chiz ko ignore kar raha hu! Mujhe pata hai parso hearing hai. Mai dekh lunga yeh sab. Abhi mujhe iss bare mai koi baat nahi karni...

Abhijeet - Lekin kyu sir?

ACP - Nahi karni toh nahi karni. Har baat ki koi wajh hona zaruri nahi hota!

Daya - Lekin sir...

ACP - Koi lekin wekin nahi Daya! Parso dekhege kya karna hai. That's it!

Abhijeet - Ok sir. Koi zarurat pade toh yaad kijiyega. Hum aa jayege. Chalo Daya...

Daya - Yaar Abhijeet lekin? (Still not being convinced about going back)

Abhijeet - Daya maine kaha na chalo!

                Daya was still not convinced about going back without talking to sir about the matter but hearing this tone of Abhijeet, Daya knew Abhijeet wasn't going to hear anything further and hence reluctantly got up from his seat and followed Abhijeet upto the door of the room. All the while ACP sir was staring at duo's retreating figure... He knew they were here for him... In his care for his betterment but he in return had only hurt them. But he didn't have any other option! They wouldn't have stopped otherwise to talk about this matter and come to a solution which he didn't want to happen right now. But he wondered will they stop even now? And soon he was answered by Abhijeet who said from the door just before closing it...

Abhijeet - Agar apko lagta hai ki iss tarah hum apko akela chod denge toh sorry to say app galat hai sir. Hum nahi jante ki app ke man mai kya chal raha hai. Lekin yeh humara app se wada hai ki hum apko iss tarah apne app ko taklif nahi dene denge!

             Closing the door duo left the house wishing Dai maa good night and ACP sir hearing the voice of the car being started smiling in pain and said looking at duo's picture kept in his room besides his bed...

ACP - Kyu itna pyar karte ho mujhse? Kabhi toh mujhe meri taklif akele seh lene do!
__________________________________________

*Car*

           Daya as usual was driving the car while Abhijeet was sitting on the passenger seat with a small smile continuously struggling to hide it. Occasionally he was receiving an angry glare from Daya who his failed attempts to hide the smile used to get even more angrier and gritting his teeth used to look back at the road. When his patience was over he said in anger...

Daya - Daat andar!

              And Abhijeet instantly stopped smiling having an all serious face and looked at him with an indication to go further.

Daya - Ab bataoge bhi ki mujhe waha se lekar kyu aaye? Sir se baat karne gaye the na hum! Toh bina baat kare hi wapis kyu aa gaye? Yaar parso court ki hearing hai! Itna time nahi hai humare paas! Aur toh aur humne sir ko humare Veer se baat karne ke bare mai bhi nahi bataya!

Abhijeet - Aree baba shant! Bolne dega toh na batauga na!

Daya - Ha toh bolo!

Abhijeet - Dekho... ACP sir kuch bina wajh nahi karte... Na hi woh problem se bhaagne walo mai se hai! Ab agar woh nahi chahte ki hum iss mamle mai kuch kare toh uske piche koi na koi wajh toh pakka hogi na!? Ho sakta hai unhone already kuch soch rakha ho? Maybe unko pata ho ki kaise sabit karna hai ki 27 saal pehle akhir hua kya tha? Maybe unke paas unki begunahi ka saboot ho?

Daya - Hmm... Ho sakta hai. Lekin agar aisa hai toh sir hume kuch bata kyu nahi rahe?

Abhijeet - Yehi toh mujhe bhi samjh nahi aa raha! I just hope unhone kuch soch ke rakha ho. Agar aisa nahi hua na toh phir zarur phas jayege hum!

Daya - Isiliye toh bol raha tha ki kam se kam unhe yeh toh bata dete ki humne Veer se baat kar li hai aur woh humara case ladne ke liye tayar hai!

Abhijeet - Tumhe lagta hai ki sir humari baat sunte?

             Daya left a sigh knowing the answer. ACP sir was not ready to talk about this and nothing could have actually changed his mind. In the same thoughts Daya dropped Abhijeet to his house and then drove off to his own.
               Time passed at its own pace and the next day arrived. The day passing being busy in cases and whenever duo got a chance ACP sir still avoided talking on the matter. This time duo waited patiently... Assuming ACP sir knew what to do... But at the same time they were also worried about what if their assumptions went wrong!?
                The day passed and the night too. But nothing fruitful happened today! The day of first hearing came and duo and Salunkhe sir accompanied ACP sir to the court. The team wanted to come along but were denied to do so by ACP sir as someone had to stay in beauro and look after the ongoing cases.

*First hearing, Bombay High Court*

               ACP sir along with duo and Salunkhe sir came out of the car and at the same time Arya also came there with Rahul. Glaring at her Daya said to ACP sir...

Daya - Sir chaliye please...

               And as ACP sir started walking his eyes met with Arya's... Teary eyed he kept looking at his daughter in her lawyer's coat standing in front of him. Yes he had seen her in this coat many a times but it was when she was in US and it was only on video calls. And today she was here standing in front of him in all her grace and glory. A proud father he was. He remembered how he had for the first time picked up this little angel in her hands and how she changed his life completely for good. He remembered how one day 8 year old Arya, after coming from school was so stubborn to talk to her father, saying that she wanted to tell him something and that she would say this only to him! He was busy and could talk only in the evening and she waited for him till evening without even having food. And as he called her in the evening in US she said jumping with utmost excitement... "Papa mai na badi hoke lawyer banugi"... With a slight laugh at her cute dream he asked, "Aur woh kyu beta?"... She replied with same excitement "Ajj na school mai ek lawyer aaya tha. He was sooooooooooo amazing, aur phir teacher ne bola lawyers na police ke pakde hue bure logo ko na punish karne mai help karte hai... Mai phir apke pakde hue bad people ko punish karwaugi"
              ACP sir smiled remembering her words. His little angel had grown up so much... She was now a lawyer and one of the best ones! She had proved herself in the US and was now here to prove herself in India. He still found her equally cute and innocent. He could see in her, his 8 year old Arya who he had heard say "Papa mai badi hoke na lawyer banugi". But his smile disappeared slowly when he realised that it was him against whom his daughter was going to fight her first case in India. "Mai apke pakde hue bad people ko punish karwaugi" and it made him smile again... But this time in pain. Today she was here as a lawyer not to get some criminal caught by him to be punished but to fight against him and get him punished.
              His thoughts were broken by Abhijeet's voice who said...

Abhijeet - Sir chale?

                Whispering a 'hmm' to him he said in a slowly in a very low voice to Arya...

ACP - All the best beta... And congratulations for your first case in India.

              He was too low to be heard and too unclear to be understood but Arya had always understood things he had not even said! This time he had spoken up and this was more than enough for her to understand.
               In reply only a tear slid down her eye and as it reached the check ACP sir walked away with duo and Salunkhe sir. Rahul kept a consoling hand on her shoulder and taking a deep breath she wiped away her eyes and walked into the court confident and determined like any other day!

To be continued...

              So what's gonna happen now? What will happen in the court room? Answer in the next chapter!