Hiiiii! Back with the next chapter! Chalo jaldi jaldi pado... I will come at the end!
Chapter 25
A small yellow bulb glowed at the end of the otherwise dark corridor. While all other lock ups lay empty, ACP sir was sitting in one of them. With elbows rested on his knees and hands covering his face. His cold palm and sweaty forhead indicated how tensed he was... Yes ACP Prayduman was tensed! Taking a deep breath he spread a hand on his face and rubbed his red eyes that were a testimony to the sleepless night he had spent. Attaching his head on the wall behind he closed his eyes. His exhausted mind took him back into the memory lane... Back to the day when he had decided to send his innocent 5 year old girl to the far away land... The day he had to part from her to keep her his!
*Flashback*
She was sitting in one corner cuddling her teddy... On the cold floor... Sobbing. The room was engulfed in darkness and as she tried to stop her tears from flowing out they only came out more. The door to her room opened and ACP sir broke into a thousand pieces as he saw her sitting like that. And the fact that he was the reason behind those tears rubbed some salt over these fresh wounds. It took him another sob from her side and averting his gaze from her although she had not yet seen him, he cleared his eyes and then somehow making a failed attempt to show his expressions normal, went towards her. Sensing his presence near her she pressed her already hidden face deeper inside her teddy and sobbed again. But little did she know that all her attempts were futile in front of him. Instead of picking her up in his arms and cuddling her, he simply rested his back on the wall sitting in the same position as that of her's. This, only made her angrier as she was not aware of the fact that just like her even he was attempting to calm himself down. After a deep silence he put a arm around her little shoulders and taking her in a side hug, to which she initially resisted but at the end gave up against his strength. So now, instead of her teddy her face was hidden in the side of his chest as he leaned back onto the wall still having his right arm around her shoulders. On the cold floor as they sat... They only warmed their icy cold hearts.
ACP - Beta zaruri hai na! Tabhi toh papa apko America bejh rahe hai!
As a retaliation to his words she tried separating from him but once again he overpowered her with no real efforts. And giving up she asked for the nth time today...
Arya - Pal kyu? (Sobbing)
ACP - Waha apki education aur baki sab ache se ho payegi na!
He lied with a heavy heart as he couldn't have said the truth. After a second she said looking up at him...
Arya - Toh phir app bhi chalo na!
ACP - Yaha par job hai na meri bachcha! Uska kya karuga?
Arya - Waha pal kal lena na...
ACP - Aisa nahi hota na!
Angry at his denial to her every suggestion she tucked back her face into the side of his chest while he kissing the top of her head promised lovingly,
ACP - I promise beta ki har Sunday ko apse baat karuga mai phone par!
The promise worked the opposite way than he wanted it to and little Arya only cried harder. Sighing, he picked her up and making her sit in his lap slowly wipped her tears. And then placing a kiss on her forehead said...
ACP - Beta apke papa humesha apke saath rehege! No matter where in world you are and no matter where in world I am. Papa kabhi unki Arya se dur ho sakte hai kya?
In answer she only hugged him and he slowly kept patting her back. Feeling his little angel in his arms, for maybe the last time, he tried to saviour the moment. The moment where he felt complete with his little princess that was his whole world. It didn't take Arya long to slip into a deep slumber... With her tired teary eyes and the comforting protective arms around her she felt like she was already in heaven... In a heaven she was soon ordered to leave... Maybe for forever. For the reason she didn't even know!
*Flashback ends*
His trail of thoughts were broken by a clinking sound on the iron rods. He saw ahead and found a constable who had lightly hit his wodden stick on the iron rods to gain his attention. Besides him, stood Insp Mahesh who after having gained ACP sir's attention, ordered the constable to leave.
(Mahesh - A member of SIT investigating this case... The one who went to inform and call Insp. Dev when ACP sir pretended to be unwell when he had called Daya to meet him in disguise of a doctor. Refer - Chapter 21)
ACP sir only kept staring at Mahesh without moving from his place. While Mahesh said in a low but sarcastic voice not wanting to be heard beyond the empty corridor...
Mahesh - Thoda paas toh aayiye na sir! Itne dur se aisi baate thodi na hoti hai!
ACP sir did not move. He sat there still, like a statue, staring at him and then suddenly got up and came near him, maintaining his stony silence. With his tired but determined penetrating eyes he stared deep in Mahesh's eyes as if he would tear through them in no time! But the gaze failed to make any effect on Mahesh and he said slowly chewing his every word...
Mahesh - Aakhe niche rakhiye ACP sahab! (After a moment) Abhi toh inn aakho ne bohot kuch dekhna baki hai! Kahi iss agg se jal na jaye!
He lightened up his lighter and then his cigarette that he was already holding between his lips. The spark gave both some extra light for a second to see each other's face but the second was long enough for them to stare into each other's fiery eyes. Ignoring his words, ACP sir didn't move an inch and neither did his gaze leave their focus. After a second he said...
ACP - Bakwas ho gayi ho toh point pe aao.
Enraged, Mahesh removed his revolver and loading it said as he left circles of smoke in the air that dissolved touching ACP sir's face...
Mahesh - Mujhe toh samjh nahi aata boss ne tumhe ab tak mara kyu nahi! Mera bas chalta toh puri ki puri gun khali kar di hoti teri khopdi mai!
A small smile broke on ACP sir's face and from behind the smoke, he said even more slowly as if telling a secret...
ACP - Woh kya hai na tere boss mai itna dam hai hi nahi hai ki mujhe kuch kar sake! Aur rahi baat teri... Toh gun andar rakh bachche! Galti se goli chal gayi na toh dar jayega tu.
Mahesh - (gritting his teeth) Bohot akad hai na tujhme... Chitna mat kar yeh sari akad nikal jayegi! Jab court mai tujhe teri hi beti saza dilwayegi! Jab Arya...
Without letting him complete ACP sir growled in anger...
ACP - Naam mat le meri Arya ka apni zaban se! Zindagi mai kabhi kuch bolne layak nahi choduga tujhe!
Mahesh - (laughing hysterically) Acha laga! Yeh... Yeh dard acha laga!
ACP sir angrily averted his gaze while Mahesh added after once again smoking his cigarette...
Mahesh - Toh kaha tha mai! Ha... Jab teri Arya ke aakho mai tu apne liye nafrat dekhega na tab pata chalega tujhe ki dard kya hota hai! Waise ha! Tere Abhijeet Daya ko toh bhul hi gaya mai! Yaar matlab nafrat karta hu par phir bhi tarif karne par majboor kar diya! Kaha se dhunda tha re inko? Aise namune milte kaha hai? Sala apni jaan dene ko tayar hai par piche hatne ko nahi! Pata hai (secretly) ajj hi raat mai aaya hai tera woh Daya Arun ke ghar se! Kis mitti ke bane hai yaar? Na jaan ki dhamki se darte hai na IG ki warning se. Matlab apne iss so called baap se itna pyar? (Scanning him with his eyes) Ajj tak suna tha... Ajj vishwas bhi ho gaya! Mumbai CID is a family. (Nodding his head in agreement) Ha bhai maan liya. Tum logo ka pyar maan liya! Sala tu ek baap hai jo apni bachcho ke khatir puri zindagi barbad karne ko tayar hai! Aur phir tere woh mane hue bete! Jinki rago mai toh tera khoon bhi nahi daudta par apne khoon ki ek ek boond bahane tayar hai... Tere liye! Kya pyar hai yaar! Bilkul filmy! Jaise koi movie ho! (Stoping to sip his cigarette) Par ab iss CID ki family ko apna ek member toh sacrifice karna hi padega!!! Aur yeh tere haat mai hai ki kon marega! (Turning serious) Chahu, toh abhi ek phone karuga aur tere Abhijeet Daya mai se kisi ko bhi udwa dunga! Par woh kya hai na aise single sided game khelne mai maza nahi aata... Tujhe bhi toh chance milna chahiye na! Toh chal diya chance! Apna... Matlab jo gunah tune kiya hi nahi woh wala tera gunah ajj court mai qabool kar lena. Agar nahi kiya toh apne Abhijeet ki chita ko agg dene tayar rehna! Ha i promise... Court mai appeal mai kudh karuga. I will make sure ki tujhe antim sanskar karne ki permission mil jaye!
ACP - Maaheshhhh!!!
Growled ACP sir and then caught his collor from behind the bars. Pulling him near himself he almost banged Mahesh into the iron rods and he stared at him with his red angry eyes. While Mahesh somehow freed himself with force and replied back in the same tone.
Mahesh - Aawaz... Niche! Aur himmat kaise hui mujhe haat lagane ki! Gussa control kijiye! Bhuliye mat ACP sahab apke Abhijeet, Daya aur Arya teeno ki hi zindagi abhi mere haato mai hai! Ek phone aur...
He moved his hand near his own neck... Indicating death!
And without any further word he walked back disappearing in the darkness. While ACP sir turned and rested his back on the iron rods of the lock up. Attaching his head on the same rods he took deep breaths trying to control his sinus. After a moment he said to himself...
ACP - Pakka ajj yeh kuch karega!
He started pacing up and down the small lock up room talking to himself...
ACP - Aur pata nahi Daya bhi ab tak kaha hoga! Hearing mai sirf ek ghanta baki hai. Thoda waqt hota toh Daya ko warn toh kar deta kisi tarike se ki Abhijeet ka khayal rakhe! Aur Abhijeet! Usse toh pata bhi ho phir bhi kuch karega nahi!
Grumbling he went back and thumped down on the stone bench. He was very restless and continuously fidgeting with his fingers. The fact that he knew that Abhijeet's life was in danger but he couldn't do anything about it made him even more frustrated. Keeping his face in his hands he closed his eyes and once again drifted back into a past memory... This time a sweet one... With his beloved sons.
*Flashback*
Hit with three bullets... Two on his chest and one on his back... And also having his leg fractured as a complementary, ACP sir was now discharged from the hospital after 10 days. But his irritation didn't get over with discharge! As he was now sitting on the bed with a phula hua face listening to a lecture from his angry elder son...
Abhijeet - Apne mujhe yaa Daya ko bulaya kyu nahi sir? Hum hai na yaha pe! Niche aane ki kya zarurat thi? Abhi balance chala gaya tha apka! Woh toh shukar hai Daya ne dekh liya nahi toh gir jate app...
ACP - Par Abhijeet...
Abhijeet - Kya Abhijeet? Pair mai fracture hai apke! Doctor ne kaha hai ki kam se kam 2 hafta aur rest karna padega! Aur app hai ki din bhar kudte rehte hai yaha se waha!
ACP sir's mouth opened in shock at this 'kudte rehte hai' and even before he could come out of it, Abhijeet added...
Abhijeet - Ab app chup chap yehi baithege! Agar hile bhi na toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Mai janab ka dinner banwa ke aata hu! Pata nahi kabse kya kar raha hai kitchen mai yeh!
ACP sir nodded in a 'yes' like a robot obeying the command of his second in command while Abhijeet moved out of the room to check upon the second kiddo in the house... Obviously the first one was ACP sir! Atleast since he was shot, yes! Cause the daily routine was somewhere similar to this since then. As ACP sir being ACP sir could never sit idle at one place and duo being duo always scolded him for the same. And to his happy misery they had now come over to his house to take care of him till he was declared completely fit by the doctor.
Here Abhijeet reached kitchen and was disappointed with the expected. Daya was busy making a mess... Opps! Making dinner, atleast according to him! Patting his head Abhijeet started cleaning up the mess while angrily scolding Daya sidewise. While innocent Daya was simply sitting in a corner obviously as told by Abhijeet, still not understanding what his mistake was. Abhijeet cleaned up the kitchen and then cooked the remaining dinner. That was nothing else but some kichdi and tomato soup. Soon after they finished cooking they went to ACP sir's room to find him engrossed in a book. As Daya served for all three of them and Abhijeet meanwhile arranged chairs, ACP sir closed his book and keeping it on side table began as...
ACP - Aree yaha dinner lane ki kya zarurat thi! Mai hi niche...
He stopped in mid sentence looking at the two pair of angry eyes staring at him and then changed his words biting his tongue...
ACP - Acha kiya upar hi le aaye! Mai niche kaise aata...
Simultaneously nodding their heads in a no both of them continued their work and soon had dinner in a light chit chat about various topics. Finishing with the cleaning stuff Daya came back to ACP sir's room while Abhijeet stayed in the living room busy on a call. Daya settled on ACP sir's bed alongside him as ACP sir insisted knowing he had nothing else to do right now except getting bored in his room. So now Daya was busy in playing game in his phone while ACP sir got back to his book.
*After half an hour*
Abhijeet came inside the room after knocking slowly and saw the room dark except for the bed side lamps glowing. Daya was sleeping with his head in ACP sir's lap while ACP sir was running his hand in his hairy scalp. All the while admiring his 6 feet tall small younger son. Abhijeet smiled a little seeing the scene in front of his eyes and then said coming near...
Abhijeet - Yeh Daya bhi na! Yehi so gaya! App utha dete na sir app kyu pareshan...
ACP - (interrupting him) Abhijeet thoda dhere bolo na! Dekho na kitne gehri neend mai so raha hai. Uth jayega!
He said once again admiring the innocent looking Daya in his lap. While Abhijeet once again tried... But this time in a low voice...
Abhijeet - Sir jake room mai so jayega na yeh...
ACP - Kyu? Mai kya kha jauga tumhare bhai ko ek din tumhari jagah mere saath so gaya toh?
Abhijeet - Kya sir app bhi...
And he shyly looked down when ACP sir said again...
ACP - Ha toh phir. Thak gaya hai bichara. Din bhar beauro mai bhi kaam kiya aur ab ghar pe bhi! Game khelte khelte hi so gaya. Woh toh waise sota toh gardan lachak jati isilye maine ache se sula liya.
Abhijeet only smiled in reply seeing how Daya was comfortably sleeping like a baby with his mouth open in their father's lap when ACP sir said...
ACP - Tum kyu khade ho? Baitho na!
Abhijeet - Aree nahi sir mai jake room arrange karta hu pura bikhra pada hai...
And as he turned to go away ACP sir held his hand said...
ACP - Baitho yaha...
Abhijeet sat down on the chair kept besides the bed and asked...
Abhijeet - Kya hua sir?
ACP - Kuch nahi bas baat karni thi tumse...
Abhijeet - Kis bare mai sir? Koi case? Kuch hua hai kya? Koi information mili hai apko? App tension mat lijiyega mai sambhal lunga...
ACP - Ha bhai mujhe pata hai app sab sambhal lenge! Aur mujhe uss bare mai baat bhi nahi karni...
Abhijeet - Toh phir sir? (Confused)
ACP - Toh phir... Kuch nahi. Bas aise hi thodi baat nahi kar sakta kya mai tumse?
Abhijeet - Kyu nahi sir. App jab chahe...
ACP - Aur jab tum chaho tab?
Abhijeet - Matlab sir?
ACP - Matlab... (Removing something from below the pillow) Matlab yeh kya hai?
Shocked to see the thing in ACP sir's hand Abhijeet quickly averted his gaze and looked down while ACP sir simply kept looking at him with smiling eyes.
It was actually a small piece of paper with a poem it. The paper soaked in few dried tears. A poem by Abhijeet... Which he had actually written few days ago when ACP sir was in hospital not responding to medicines and declared critical by doctors. The paper had all his feelings of pain, guilt, love, care and respect that he had for his ACP sir. The ones he could never utter and were hidden in the depths of his heart. The ones Daya expressed by crying on his shoulder but were suppressed for him as he being in his father's boots in his absence had to fulfill his responsibilities of handling their team.
Not knowing what to say he tried with a lame excuse...
Abhijeet - Sir woh... Woh yeh maine nahi
ACP - Try something other than yeh maine nahi likha!
Shocked at how ACP sir knew what he was going to say he looked at him when ACP sir added...
ACP - Bohot lame excuse hoga yeh toh mere brightest officer ke liye Abhijeet! You cannot let me down like this!
Looking away once again Abhijeet couldn't do anything else but smiling, complained...
Abhijeet - Sirrr...
ACP - Acha chalo nahi bolta kuch! Par yeh toh batao ki tum kabse likhte ho? Ajj tak bataya kyu nahi mujhe? (Little angrily)
Abhijeet - Likhta nahi hu sir. Yeh toh bas kabhi kabhi aise hi...
ACP - Yeh aise hi tha? Bhai ajj tak ki meri padi yeh sabse khubsurat poem hai! And you know ki I am an avid reader!
Abhijeet - Sir nahi sir. Yeh toh kabhi kabhi jo alfaz muh se nahi nikalte woh pen se utar deta hu...
ACP - Hmm... Matlab yeh jo tum apne jeb mai istifa leke ghumte ho... Baat baat par mujhe pakda kar chale jate ho... Aage yeh karne ka irada hota hai!
Abhijeet - (shyly) Sir please...
ACP - (nodding his head in a smiley no) Daya ko pata hai?
Abhijeet - Isme pata na pata honi jaisi konsi baat hai sir! Mai sach mai kuch nahi likhta... (Lovingly looking at Daya who was busy making himself more comfortable in sir's lap) Daya ke hote aisi koi baat hoti hi nahi hai jo mujhe kagaz se share karni pade. Woh toh bas kabhi kabhi dil karta hai toh kuch likh leta hu.
ACP - Matlab isse bhi nahi pata! Jab pata chalega mere paas mat aana! Mai nahi bachane wala tumhe! (After a minute's silence) Aur rahi baat iski (looking at the paper still in his hand)... Thank you...
Abhijeet - Woh kyu sir?
ACP - Nahi woh ajj pata chala ki meri jaan kisi ke liye itni kimat hai...
Abhijeet - (lost in his thoughts) Isse bhi bohot zayada sir. Bohot zayada...
ACP - Itni baar tumhe arrest karne ke... Na jane kya kuch na kehne ke... Kabhi tumpe vishwas na karne ke baad bhi?
Abhijeet - (smiling) Kabhi vishwas na karne baad? Phir bhi har baar sabse pehle aur sabse zayada mujhpe hi vishwas karne ke liye sir. Woh hatkadi pehnana toh humari duty hai. Par woh muskan jo apke chehre pe sabse pehle aati hai meri beguhani sabit hone ke baad? Uska kya sir? Woh meri sari shikayete dur kar deti hai sir.
ACP - (looking other side) I don't deserve it Abhijeet... I don't.
Abhijeet - You deserve a lot more sir...
ACP - Par Abhijeet...
Abhijeet - (cutting him in between Abhijeet continued) App nahi samjhege sir. App nahi samjhege ki app humare liye kya hai. (After a second) Chaliye ab so jayiye app. Kafi raat ho gayi hai. Itna exertion theek nahi abhi apke liye.
And handing him over his medicines Abhijeet kept back the chair at its place and arranged the bed while ACP sir watched all in silence admiring his elder son as he ran his fingers through his younger son's head. After getting done with all Abhijeet came and lightly patted Daya's back with...
Abhijeet - Daya uth! Chal room mai chalke soja!
Daya made an irritated face and murmured in his sleep...
Daya - Kya hai Abhi. Sone do na. Kitni achi neend aa rahi hai...
And further dug his face in ACP sir's stomach. Abhijeet kept a hand on his head while ACP sir smiled and slowly moved Daya and made him lie besides him with his hand still on his forehead and lied down himself with Abhijeet's help who after covering him in blanket properly left after switching off the bed side lamps. And ACP sir after seeing the retreating figure kept back the piece of paper on the side table safely below the picture of duo kept there.
*Flashback ends*
Daya was rushing making his way between the heavy traffic all the while trying to call someone or better say different numbers and after cutting the call in frustration recieving no reply banged his phone on the passenger seat of his car. After a moment he remembered something and again picked up his phone and called another number and kept it aside as he heard the tring tring sound on the bluetooth attached to his ear. As his call was finally received he instantly asked...
Daya - Abhijeet kaha hai Raghu?
Raghu (Daya's informer who Daya told to keep an eye on Abhijeet) - Sahab woh Abhijeet sahab toh court mai hai! Woh abhi 10 minute mai hearing chalu hone wali hai na. Apki puri team wahi hai. Kya hua sahab?
Daya - Tu kaha hai iss waqt?
Raghu - Mai? Mai toh nikal gaya sahab.
Daya - Kaha nikal gaya? Tujhe bola tha Abhi ko ek minute ke liye bhi akela mat chodna!
Raghu - Ha par sahab mai court mai kaise unpe nazar rakhta... Isiliye mai...
Daya - Tu! (Somehow controlling his anger) Wapis court jaa abhi ke abhi! Mai bhi aa raha hu!
Raghu - Par sahab hua kya hai?
Daya - Tujhe jitna bola hai utna kar! Baki tujhe baad mai dekhuga mai!
And angrily cutting the call he once again concentrated on driving as he glanced on the piece of paper that was lying on the passenger seat... The one he got stuck on the viper of his car. With a threat to Abhijeet's life written over it...
*Court*
The hearing had begun. And from this moment everything seemed to move in fast forward. Arya was presenting the new findings of the SIT from her perspective and Abhijeet was contradicting her with his point of view. But ACP sir standing in the witness box, registered none of what was going on. For him it was more like a noise going on in the background. He was only looking here and there all the while. Making sure there was nothing harmful around that could harm Abhijeet. He scanned every possible place he could with his eyes but found nothing suspicious. But this didn't satisfy him as his experience and his gut feeling both told him that today, something was bound to happen! He was restless and angry at Daya's absence as he seemed to be the only one who could do anything to stop any bad from happening.
His thoughts were broken by Arya calling out to him with suspecious eyes... He noticed her standing near his witness box and gazing at him while all others in the otherwise silent court were also looking at him confused. And he absent mindedly uttered...
ACP - Ha?
Arya - Mere sawal ka jawab dijiye?
When ACP sir didn't reply anything she asked...
Arya - Apne suna bhi ki nahi maine kya kaha?
He nodded his head in a small no while Arya smirked at him and said...
Arya - Soch rahe hai ki ab konsi kahani banau jisse phir sab log emotional hoke app pe vishwas kar le? Par you know these things won't work in front of me! Apki yeh innocent dikhne wali aakhe won't melt me! And I guess you know court doesn't believe in emotions either! So behtar hoga app yeh emotional card na hi use kare aur mere sawalo ka jawab de...
But before she could actually complete ACP sir angrily cut her off...
ACP - Sawal toh pucho!
Whole court turned silent. While everyone including team and Abhijeet were looking at him in confusion and even the judge seemed baffled with how this man who was until the previous hearing was not even reacting with facial expressions to the deadliest of the arguments and worst of the aligations simply lost his temper at a comparative 'nothing' today! And he realising his mistake of being an accused shouting at prosecution lawyer, apologized to Arya with...
ACP - Sorry...
After a deep silence of a moment where everyone was still trying to register the happenings, he looked at the judge and made up his mind to confess the crime he never committed. Cause he could have no more risked Abhijeet and hence releasing a sigh said...
ACP - Your honour... Mujhe kuch kehna tha.
Judge - Proceed...
ACP - Woh...
But his words never got completed... As they were cut off by a figure who had pushed open the courtroom's door and had ran inside without anyone being able to stop him. The figure pushed Abhijeet on the floor and before they could even blink they heard the sound of a glass shattering down and then saw a bullet piercing from between the falling glass pieces that came and hit the figure who had just ran into the courtroom. With the bullet sound there ecohed another voice of Abhijeet who was lying below the figure as...
Abhijeet - Dayaaaaaaa!
To be continued...
Daya sir ko goli lag gayi! Ab kya hoga? Next chapter mai pata chalega *wink wink*. Mai kuch nahi bataugi. Agar pata karna hai toh review karo fast fast!
Chapter 25
A small yellow bulb glowed at the end of the otherwise dark corridor. While all other lock ups lay empty, ACP sir was sitting in one of them. With elbows rested on his knees and hands covering his face. His cold palm and sweaty forhead indicated how tensed he was... Yes ACP Prayduman was tensed! Taking a deep breath he spread a hand on his face and rubbed his red eyes that were a testimony to the sleepless night he had spent. Attaching his head on the wall behind he closed his eyes. His exhausted mind took him back into the memory lane... Back to the day when he had decided to send his innocent 5 year old girl to the far away land... The day he had to part from her to keep her his!
*Flashback*
She was sitting in one corner cuddling her teddy... On the cold floor... Sobbing. The room was engulfed in darkness and as she tried to stop her tears from flowing out they only came out more. The door to her room opened and ACP sir broke into a thousand pieces as he saw her sitting like that. And the fact that he was the reason behind those tears rubbed some salt over these fresh wounds. It took him another sob from her side and averting his gaze from her although she had not yet seen him, he cleared his eyes and then somehow making a failed attempt to show his expressions normal, went towards her. Sensing his presence near her she pressed her already hidden face deeper inside her teddy and sobbed again. But little did she know that all her attempts were futile in front of him. Instead of picking her up in his arms and cuddling her, he simply rested his back on the wall sitting in the same position as that of her's. This, only made her angrier as she was not aware of the fact that just like her even he was attempting to calm himself down. After a deep silence he put a arm around her little shoulders and taking her in a side hug, to which she initially resisted but at the end gave up against his strength. So now, instead of her teddy her face was hidden in the side of his chest as he leaned back onto the wall still having his right arm around her shoulders. On the cold floor as they sat... They only warmed their icy cold hearts.
ACP - Beta zaruri hai na! Tabhi toh papa apko America bejh rahe hai!
As a retaliation to his words she tried separating from him but once again he overpowered her with no real efforts. And giving up she asked for the nth time today...
Arya - Pal kyu? (Sobbing)
ACP - Waha apki education aur baki sab ache se ho payegi na!
He lied with a heavy heart as he couldn't have said the truth. After a second she said looking up at him...
Arya - Toh phir app bhi chalo na!
ACP - Yaha par job hai na meri bachcha! Uska kya karuga?
Arya - Waha pal kal lena na...
ACP - Aisa nahi hota na!
Angry at his denial to her every suggestion she tucked back her face into the side of his chest while he kissing the top of her head promised lovingly,
ACP - I promise beta ki har Sunday ko apse baat karuga mai phone par!
The promise worked the opposite way than he wanted it to and little Arya only cried harder. Sighing, he picked her up and making her sit in his lap slowly wipped her tears. And then placing a kiss on her forehead said...
ACP - Beta apke papa humesha apke saath rehege! No matter where in world you are and no matter where in world I am. Papa kabhi unki Arya se dur ho sakte hai kya?
In answer she only hugged him and he slowly kept patting her back. Feeling his little angel in his arms, for maybe the last time, he tried to saviour the moment. The moment where he felt complete with his little princess that was his whole world. It didn't take Arya long to slip into a deep slumber... With her tired teary eyes and the comforting protective arms around her she felt like she was already in heaven... In a heaven she was soon ordered to leave... Maybe for forever. For the reason she didn't even know!
*Flashback ends*
His trail of thoughts were broken by a clinking sound on the iron rods. He saw ahead and found a constable who had lightly hit his wodden stick on the iron rods to gain his attention. Besides him, stood Insp Mahesh who after having gained ACP sir's attention, ordered the constable to leave.
(Mahesh - A member of SIT investigating this case... The one who went to inform and call Insp. Dev when ACP sir pretended to be unwell when he had called Daya to meet him in disguise of a doctor. Refer - Chapter 21)
ACP sir only kept staring at Mahesh without moving from his place. While Mahesh said in a low but sarcastic voice not wanting to be heard beyond the empty corridor...
Mahesh - Thoda paas toh aayiye na sir! Itne dur se aisi baate thodi na hoti hai!
ACP sir did not move. He sat there still, like a statue, staring at him and then suddenly got up and came near him, maintaining his stony silence. With his tired but determined penetrating eyes he stared deep in Mahesh's eyes as if he would tear through them in no time! But the gaze failed to make any effect on Mahesh and he said slowly chewing his every word...
Mahesh - Aakhe niche rakhiye ACP sahab! (After a moment) Abhi toh inn aakho ne bohot kuch dekhna baki hai! Kahi iss agg se jal na jaye!
He lightened up his lighter and then his cigarette that he was already holding between his lips. The spark gave both some extra light for a second to see each other's face but the second was long enough for them to stare into each other's fiery eyes. Ignoring his words, ACP sir didn't move an inch and neither did his gaze leave their focus. After a second he said...
ACP - Bakwas ho gayi ho toh point pe aao.
Enraged, Mahesh removed his revolver and loading it said as he left circles of smoke in the air that dissolved touching ACP sir's face...
Mahesh - Mujhe toh samjh nahi aata boss ne tumhe ab tak mara kyu nahi! Mera bas chalta toh puri ki puri gun khali kar di hoti teri khopdi mai!
A small smile broke on ACP sir's face and from behind the smoke, he said even more slowly as if telling a secret...
ACP - Woh kya hai na tere boss mai itna dam hai hi nahi hai ki mujhe kuch kar sake! Aur rahi baat teri... Toh gun andar rakh bachche! Galti se goli chal gayi na toh dar jayega tu.
Mahesh - (gritting his teeth) Bohot akad hai na tujhme... Chitna mat kar yeh sari akad nikal jayegi! Jab court mai tujhe teri hi beti saza dilwayegi! Jab Arya...
Without letting him complete ACP sir growled in anger...
ACP - Naam mat le meri Arya ka apni zaban se! Zindagi mai kabhi kuch bolne layak nahi choduga tujhe!
Mahesh - (laughing hysterically) Acha laga! Yeh... Yeh dard acha laga!
ACP sir angrily averted his gaze while Mahesh added after once again smoking his cigarette...
Mahesh - Toh kaha tha mai! Ha... Jab teri Arya ke aakho mai tu apne liye nafrat dekhega na tab pata chalega tujhe ki dard kya hota hai! Waise ha! Tere Abhijeet Daya ko toh bhul hi gaya mai! Yaar matlab nafrat karta hu par phir bhi tarif karne par majboor kar diya! Kaha se dhunda tha re inko? Aise namune milte kaha hai? Sala apni jaan dene ko tayar hai par piche hatne ko nahi! Pata hai (secretly) ajj hi raat mai aaya hai tera woh Daya Arun ke ghar se! Kis mitti ke bane hai yaar? Na jaan ki dhamki se darte hai na IG ki warning se. Matlab apne iss so called baap se itna pyar? (Scanning him with his eyes) Ajj tak suna tha... Ajj vishwas bhi ho gaya! Mumbai CID is a family. (Nodding his head in agreement) Ha bhai maan liya. Tum logo ka pyar maan liya! Sala tu ek baap hai jo apni bachcho ke khatir puri zindagi barbad karne ko tayar hai! Aur phir tere woh mane hue bete! Jinki rago mai toh tera khoon bhi nahi daudta par apne khoon ki ek ek boond bahane tayar hai... Tere liye! Kya pyar hai yaar! Bilkul filmy! Jaise koi movie ho! (Stoping to sip his cigarette) Par ab iss CID ki family ko apna ek member toh sacrifice karna hi padega!!! Aur yeh tere haat mai hai ki kon marega! (Turning serious) Chahu, toh abhi ek phone karuga aur tere Abhijeet Daya mai se kisi ko bhi udwa dunga! Par woh kya hai na aise single sided game khelne mai maza nahi aata... Tujhe bhi toh chance milna chahiye na! Toh chal diya chance! Apna... Matlab jo gunah tune kiya hi nahi woh wala tera gunah ajj court mai qabool kar lena. Agar nahi kiya toh apne Abhijeet ki chita ko agg dene tayar rehna! Ha i promise... Court mai appeal mai kudh karuga. I will make sure ki tujhe antim sanskar karne ki permission mil jaye!
ACP - Maaheshhhh!!!
Growled ACP sir and then caught his collor from behind the bars. Pulling him near himself he almost banged Mahesh into the iron rods and he stared at him with his red angry eyes. While Mahesh somehow freed himself with force and replied back in the same tone.
Mahesh - Aawaz... Niche! Aur himmat kaise hui mujhe haat lagane ki! Gussa control kijiye! Bhuliye mat ACP sahab apke Abhijeet, Daya aur Arya teeno ki hi zindagi abhi mere haato mai hai! Ek phone aur...
He moved his hand near his own neck... Indicating death!
And without any further word he walked back disappearing in the darkness. While ACP sir turned and rested his back on the iron rods of the lock up. Attaching his head on the same rods he took deep breaths trying to control his sinus. After a moment he said to himself...
ACP - Pakka ajj yeh kuch karega!
He started pacing up and down the small lock up room talking to himself...
ACP - Aur pata nahi Daya bhi ab tak kaha hoga! Hearing mai sirf ek ghanta baki hai. Thoda waqt hota toh Daya ko warn toh kar deta kisi tarike se ki Abhijeet ka khayal rakhe! Aur Abhijeet! Usse toh pata bhi ho phir bhi kuch karega nahi!
Grumbling he went back and thumped down on the stone bench. He was very restless and continuously fidgeting with his fingers. The fact that he knew that Abhijeet's life was in danger but he couldn't do anything about it made him even more frustrated. Keeping his face in his hands he closed his eyes and once again drifted back into a past memory... This time a sweet one... With his beloved sons.
*Flashback*
Hit with three bullets... Two on his chest and one on his back... And also having his leg fractured as a complementary, ACP sir was now discharged from the hospital after 10 days. But his irritation didn't get over with discharge! As he was now sitting on the bed with a phula hua face listening to a lecture from his angry elder son...
Abhijeet - Apne mujhe yaa Daya ko bulaya kyu nahi sir? Hum hai na yaha pe! Niche aane ki kya zarurat thi? Abhi balance chala gaya tha apka! Woh toh shukar hai Daya ne dekh liya nahi toh gir jate app...
ACP - Par Abhijeet...
Abhijeet - Kya Abhijeet? Pair mai fracture hai apke! Doctor ne kaha hai ki kam se kam 2 hafta aur rest karna padega! Aur app hai ki din bhar kudte rehte hai yaha se waha!
ACP sir's mouth opened in shock at this 'kudte rehte hai' and even before he could come out of it, Abhijeet added...
Abhijeet - Ab app chup chap yehi baithege! Agar hile bhi na toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Mai janab ka dinner banwa ke aata hu! Pata nahi kabse kya kar raha hai kitchen mai yeh!
ACP sir nodded in a 'yes' like a robot obeying the command of his second in command while Abhijeet moved out of the room to check upon the second kiddo in the house... Obviously the first one was ACP sir! Atleast since he was shot, yes! Cause the daily routine was somewhere similar to this since then. As ACP sir being ACP sir could never sit idle at one place and duo being duo always scolded him for the same. And to his happy misery they had now come over to his house to take care of him till he was declared completely fit by the doctor.
Here Abhijeet reached kitchen and was disappointed with the expected. Daya was busy making a mess... Opps! Making dinner, atleast according to him! Patting his head Abhijeet started cleaning up the mess while angrily scolding Daya sidewise. While innocent Daya was simply sitting in a corner obviously as told by Abhijeet, still not understanding what his mistake was. Abhijeet cleaned up the kitchen and then cooked the remaining dinner. That was nothing else but some kichdi and tomato soup. Soon after they finished cooking they went to ACP sir's room to find him engrossed in a book. As Daya served for all three of them and Abhijeet meanwhile arranged chairs, ACP sir closed his book and keeping it on side table began as...
ACP - Aree yaha dinner lane ki kya zarurat thi! Mai hi niche...
He stopped in mid sentence looking at the two pair of angry eyes staring at him and then changed his words biting his tongue...
ACP - Acha kiya upar hi le aaye! Mai niche kaise aata...
Simultaneously nodding their heads in a no both of them continued their work and soon had dinner in a light chit chat about various topics. Finishing with the cleaning stuff Daya came back to ACP sir's room while Abhijeet stayed in the living room busy on a call. Daya settled on ACP sir's bed alongside him as ACP sir insisted knowing he had nothing else to do right now except getting bored in his room. So now Daya was busy in playing game in his phone while ACP sir got back to his book.
*After half an hour*
Abhijeet came inside the room after knocking slowly and saw the room dark except for the bed side lamps glowing. Daya was sleeping with his head in ACP sir's lap while ACP sir was running his hand in his hairy scalp. All the while admiring his 6 feet tall small younger son. Abhijeet smiled a little seeing the scene in front of his eyes and then said coming near...
Abhijeet - Yeh Daya bhi na! Yehi so gaya! App utha dete na sir app kyu pareshan...
ACP - (interrupting him) Abhijeet thoda dhere bolo na! Dekho na kitne gehri neend mai so raha hai. Uth jayega!
He said once again admiring the innocent looking Daya in his lap. While Abhijeet once again tried... But this time in a low voice...
Abhijeet - Sir jake room mai so jayega na yeh...
ACP - Kyu? Mai kya kha jauga tumhare bhai ko ek din tumhari jagah mere saath so gaya toh?
Abhijeet - Kya sir app bhi...
And he shyly looked down when ACP sir said again...
ACP - Ha toh phir. Thak gaya hai bichara. Din bhar beauro mai bhi kaam kiya aur ab ghar pe bhi! Game khelte khelte hi so gaya. Woh toh waise sota toh gardan lachak jati isilye maine ache se sula liya.
Abhijeet only smiled in reply seeing how Daya was comfortably sleeping like a baby with his mouth open in their father's lap when ACP sir said...
ACP - Tum kyu khade ho? Baitho na!
Abhijeet - Aree nahi sir mai jake room arrange karta hu pura bikhra pada hai...
And as he turned to go away ACP sir held his hand said...
ACP - Baitho yaha...
Abhijeet sat down on the chair kept besides the bed and asked...
Abhijeet - Kya hua sir?
ACP - Kuch nahi bas baat karni thi tumse...
Abhijeet - Kis bare mai sir? Koi case? Kuch hua hai kya? Koi information mili hai apko? App tension mat lijiyega mai sambhal lunga...
ACP - Ha bhai mujhe pata hai app sab sambhal lenge! Aur mujhe uss bare mai baat bhi nahi karni...
Abhijeet - Toh phir sir? (Confused)
ACP - Toh phir... Kuch nahi. Bas aise hi thodi baat nahi kar sakta kya mai tumse?
Abhijeet - Kyu nahi sir. App jab chahe...
ACP - Aur jab tum chaho tab?
Abhijeet - Matlab sir?
ACP - Matlab... (Removing something from below the pillow) Matlab yeh kya hai?
Shocked to see the thing in ACP sir's hand Abhijeet quickly averted his gaze and looked down while ACP sir simply kept looking at him with smiling eyes.
It was actually a small piece of paper with a poem it. The paper soaked in few dried tears. A poem by Abhijeet... Which he had actually written few days ago when ACP sir was in hospital not responding to medicines and declared critical by doctors. The paper had all his feelings of pain, guilt, love, care and respect that he had for his ACP sir. The ones he could never utter and were hidden in the depths of his heart. The ones Daya expressed by crying on his shoulder but were suppressed for him as he being in his father's boots in his absence had to fulfill his responsibilities of handling their team.
Not knowing what to say he tried with a lame excuse...
Abhijeet - Sir woh... Woh yeh maine nahi
ACP - Try something other than yeh maine nahi likha!
Shocked at how ACP sir knew what he was going to say he looked at him when ACP sir added...
ACP - Bohot lame excuse hoga yeh toh mere brightest officer ke liye Abhijeet! You cannot let me down like this!
Looking away once again Abhijeet couldn't do anything else but smiling, complained...
Abhijeet - Sirrr...
ACP - Acha chalo nahi bolta kuch! Par yeh toh batao ki tum kabse likhte ho? Ajj tak bataya kyu nahi mujhe? (Little angrily)
Abhijeet - Likhta nahi hu sir. Yeh toh bas kabhi kabhi aise hi...
ACP - Yeh aise hi tha? Bhai ajj tak ki meri padi yeh sabse khubsurat poem hai! And you know ki I am an avid reader!
Abhijeet - Sir nahi sir. Yeh toh kabhi kabhi jo alfaz muh se nahi nikalte woh pen se utar deta hu...
ACP - Hmm... Matlab yeh jo tum apne jeb mai istifa leke ghumte ho... Baat baat par mujhe pakda kar chale jate ho... Aage yeh karne ka irada hota hai!
Abhijeet - (shyly) Sir please...
ACP - (nodding his head in a smiley no) Daya ko pata hai?
Abhijeet - Isme pata na pata honi jaisi konsi baat hai sir! Mai sach mai kuch nahi likhta... (Lovingly looking at Daya who was busy making himself more comfortable in sir's lap) Daya ke hote aisi koi baat hoti hi nahi hai jo mujhe kagaz se share karni pade. Woh toh bas kabhi kabhi dil karta hai toh kuch likh leta hu.
ACP - Matlab isse bhi nahi pata! Jab pata chalega mere paas mat aana! Mai nahi bachane wala tumhe! (After a minute's silence) Aur rahi baat iski (looking at the paper still in his hand)... Thank you...
Abhijeet - Woh kyu sir?
ACP - Nahi woh ajj pata chala ki meri jaan kisi ke liye itni kimat hai...
Abhijeet - (lost in his thoughts) Isse bhi bohot zayada sir. Bohot zayada...
ACP - Itni baar tumhe arrest karne ke... Na jane kya kuch na kehne ke... Kabhi tumpe vishwas na karne ke baad bhi?
Abhijeet - (smiling) Kabhi vishwas na karne baad? Phir bhi har baar sabse pehle aur sabse zayada mujhpe hi vishwas karne ke liye sir. Woh hatkadi pehnana toh humari duty hai. Par woh muskan jo apke chehre pe sabse pehle aati hai meri beguhani sabit hone ke baad? Uska kya sir? Woh meri sari shikayete dur kar deti hai sir.
ACP - (looking other side) I don't deserve it Abhijeet... I don't.
Abhijeet - You deserve a lot more sir...
ACP - Par Abhijeet...
Abhijeet - (cutting him in between Abhijeet continued) App nahi samjhege sir. App nahi samjhege ki app humare liye kya hai. (After a second) Chaliye ab so jayiye app. Kafi raat ho gayi hai. Itna exertion theek nahi abhi apke liye.
And handing him over his medicines Abhijeet kept back the chair at its place and arranged the bed while ACP sir watched all in silence admiring his elder son as he ran his fingers through his younger son's head. After getting done with all Abhijeet came and lightly patted Daya's back with...
Abhijeet - Daya uth! Chal room mai chalke soja!
Daya made an irritated face and murmured in his sleep...
Daya - Kya hai Abhi. Sone do na. Kitni achi neend aa rahi hai...
And further dug his face in ACP sir's stomach. Abhijeet kept a hand on his head while ACP sir smiled and slowly moved Daya and made him lie besides him with his hand still on his forehead and lied down himself with Abhijeet's help who after covering him in blanket properly left after switching off the bed side lamps. And ACP sir after seeing the retreating figure kept back the piece of paper on the side table safely below the picture of duo kept there.
*Flashback ends*
Daya was rushing making his way between the heavy traffic all the while trying to call someone or better say different numbers and after cutting the call in frustration recieving no reply banged his phone on the passenger seat of his car. After a moment he remembered something and again picked up his phone and called another number and kept it aside as he heard the tring tring sound on the bluetooth attached to his ear. As his call was finally received he instantly asked...
Daya - Abhijeet kaha hai Raghu?
Raghu (Daya's informer who Daya told to keep an eye on Abhijeet) - Sahab woh Abhijeet sahab toh court mai hai! Woh abhi 10 minute mai hearing chalu hone wali hai na. Apki puri team wahi hai. Kya hua sahab?
Daya - Tu kaha hai iss waqt?
Raghu - Mai? Mai toh nikal gaya sahab.
Daya - Kaha nikal gaya? Tujhe bola tha Abhi ko ek minute ke liye bhi akela mat chodna!
Raghu - Ha par sahab mai court mai kaise unpe nazar rakhta... Isiliye mai...
Daya - Tu! (Somehow controlling his anger) Wapis court jaa abhi ke abhi! Mai bhi aa raha hu!
Raghu - Par sahab hua kya hai?
Daya - Tujhe jitna bola hai utna kar! Baki tujhe baad mai dekhuga mai!
And angrily cutting the call he once again concentrated on driving as he glanced on the piece of paper that was lying on the passenger seat... The one he got stuck on the viper of his car. With a threat to Abhijeet's life written over it...
*Court*
The hearing had begun. And from this moment everything seemed to move in fast forward. Arya was presenting the new findings of the SIT from her perspective and Abhijeet was contradicting her with his point of view. But ACP sir standing in the witness box, registered none of what was going on. For him it was more like a noise going on in the background. He was only looking here and there all the while. Making sure there was nothing harmful around that could harm Abhijeet. He scanned every possible place he could with his eyes but found nothing suspicious. But this didn't satisfy him as his experience and his gut feeling both told him that today, something was bound to happen! He was restless and angry at Daya's absence as he seemed to be the only one who could do anything to stop any bad from happening.
His thoughts were broken by Arya calling out to him with suspecious eyes... He noticed her standing near his witness box and gazing at him while all others in the otherwise silent court were also looking at him confused. And he absent mindedly uttered...
ACP - Ha?
Arya - Mere sawal ka jawab dijiye?
When ACP sir didn't reply anything she asked...
Arya - Apne suna bhi ki nahi maine kya kaha?
He nodded his head in a small no while Arya smirked at him and said...
Arya - Soch rahe hai ki ab konsi kahani banau jisse phir sab log emotional hoke app pe vishwas kar le? Par you know these things won't work in front of me! Apki yeh innocent dikhne wali aakhe won't melt me! And I guess you know court doesn't believe in emotions either! So behtar hoga app yeh emotional card na hi use kare aur mere sawalo ka jawab de...
But before she could actually complete ACP sir angrily cut her off...
ACP - Sawal toh pucho!
Whole court turned silent. While everyone including team and Abhijeet were looking at him in confusion and even the judge seemed baffled with how this man who was until the previous hearing was not even reacting with facial expressions to the deadliest of the arguments and worst of the aligations simply lost his temper at a comparative 'nothing' today! And he realising his mistake of being an accused shouting at prosecution lawyer, apologized to Arya with...
ACP - Sorry...
After a deep silence of a moment where everyone was still trying to register the happenings, he looked at the judge and made up his mind to confess the crime he never committed. Cause he could have no more risked Abhijeet and hence releasing a sigh said...
ACP - Your honour... Mujhe kuch kehna tha.
Judge - Proceed...
ACP - Woh...
But his words never got completed... As they were cut off by a figure who had pushed open the courtroom's door and had ran inside without anyone being able to stop him. The figure pushed Abhijeet on the floor and before they could even blink they heard the sound of a glass shattering down and then saw a bullet piercing from between the falling glass pieces that came and hit the figure who had just ran into the courtroom. With the bullet sound there ecohed another voice of Abhijeet who was lying below the figure as...
Abhijeet - Dayaaaaaaa!
To be continued...
Daya sir ko goli lag gayi! Ab kya hoga? Next chapter mai pata chalega *wink wink*. Mai kuch nahi bataugi. Agar pata karna hai toh review karo fast fast!
