The Present - Chapter 29

             Heyo! Back early as i promised! So no more chapar chapar. Only reading!

                             Chapter 29

                             

            Abhijeet knocked on the door waiting for a response. And after a good five seconds he was answered 'come in'. He slowly pushed open the door and walked in. Standing in front of IG Shrikant. While Shrikant was busy in his laptop Abhijeet took his time bracing up himself for whatever was to follow. But when IG didn't speak anything even after Abhijeet was done calming himself down, Abhijeet said gaining his attention...

Abhijeet - Apne bulaya tha sir...

              IG finally turned to look at him. And as he saw Abhijeet he observed him for a minute. Then nodded his head in a yes and picked up the laptop from in front of him and kept it to his side still not shutting down its screen.

IG Shrikant - Baitho...

             Abhijeet settled into the seat in front of Shrikant and waited for him to begin... His head low. Not from anything else but only trying to contain the anger in his eyes.

IG Shrikant - So you are investigating this case? Even after court's order?

             Though his words should have been a question they sounded more like a statement. Abhijeet simply nodded his head in a yes looking down as he knew there was no use lying... He finished his nod with...

Abhijeet - Ji ha sir...

IG Shrikant - Would you tell me why?

              Abhijeet took a little time to find the right words to answer him... The words that would neither be harsh or impolite but also communicate his feelings... He chose the simple ones...

Abhijeet - App jante hai kyu sir.

IG Shrikant - Tum nahi jante ki where will this land you?

Abhijeet - Janta hu sir... Most probably out of CID.

IG Shrikant - And you are still doing it?

Abhijeet - Then what else do I do sir?

IG Shrikant - SIT investigate kar rahi hai na? Tumhe kya zarurat hai?

             Abhijeet finally turned to look at him. His eyes clearly asking 'sach mai kar rahi hai?' but the words leaving his lips were a little different from the ones leaving his eyes...

Abhijeet - Right sir. Koi zarurat nahi hai. Mujhe toh ghar pe chup chap baith jana chahiye wait karte hue SIT ki report ka. Hai na?

             The words 'Hai na?' dipped in sarcasm, made the softness that was present on Shrikant's face from the moment he saw Abhijeet fade away. He said in a warning tone...

IG Shrikant - Abhijeet! Mai janta hu you are going through a lot and hence trying to be patient with you. Doesn't mean you can overstep.

              But his warning didn't budge Abhijeet the slightest. He didn't say anything more but didn't even try to take back his previous words. He sat waiting... Waiting for IG to finish with whatever he wanted to say. And after a deep silence IG spoke up, again calmly,

IG - Listen Abhijeet. Whatever I'm saying it's for your own good. I don't want you landing in trouble. You are one of the best cops in the whole department aur mai nahi chahta ki you end up where you shouldn't. I could have gone straight to the court informing them that you are investigating this case. And you know what would have happened! Maine pehle bhi tumhe aur Daya ko warning di thi! Isilye kyuki mai nahi chahta tha ki yeh department apne sabse behtarin do cops ko kho de. Par agar ab tum nahi ruke toh mere paas aur koi rasta nahi hoga siway court mai sach batane ke.

             Abhijeet still maintained silence. Not knowing if IG had finished with whatever he wanted to say. But when he didn't say anything further he knew he had finished and then said...

Abhijeet - App yeh kehna chahte hai ki agar maine yeh case nahi choda toh woh mere liye acha nahi hoga...

               IG Shrikant nodded his head in a yes. Indicating that this is what he meant to say. To which Abhijeet added...

Abhijeet - Aur jo abhi mere saath ho raha hai woh acha ho raha hai? Aur kya kho dunga sir mai? Apna sab kuch toh khone ki kagar pe khada hu. Aur hai hi kya mere paas jo mujhse dur chala jayega? Bas ek koshish kar raha hu apno ko aur apne app ko bachane ki... App kehte hai yeh bhi na karu?

IG Shrikant - So CID means nothing to you? You are ready to be fired?

              Abhijeet smiled painfully... Letting loose of his emotions. He didn't know why exactly he was letting loose of himself in front of IG but he did...

Abhijeet - CID means nothing sir? CID actually means everything to me.

IG Shrikant - Then why are you so adamant on being fired?

             He growled... But again it failed to affect Abhijeet who said calmly...

Abhijeet - Jin logo ne mujhe CID ke kabil banaya... Unhe hi chod du CID ke liye? Meri zindagi mai CID ki ahmiyat inn logo se hai sir. Desh ki seva toh mai bina CID ke bhi kar sakta hu!

              IG sighed looking sideways out of the window cabin and asked one last time...

IG Shrikant - So you have decided you won't listen?

Abhijeet - App jante hai sir iss case ko investigate karne se mujhe koi nahi rok sakta.

IG Shrikant - (leaning on the table) Ok fine. Karo. Tumhe jo karna hai karo. Par ek baat yaad rakhna. 2 din baad court ki hearing hai. Yeh case solve ho na ho yeh hearing tumhare liye zarur akhiri hogi. Agar tum Prayduman ko innocent sabit kar paye toh I'll admit you were right. Aur mai kisi ko kuch nahi batauga. Lekin agar Prayduman innocent hua bhi par tum usse 2 din baad court mai innocent sabit nahi kar paye toh mai hearing katham hone se pehle yeh court ko bata dunga ki tum iss case ko investigate kar rahe the. Uske baad jo hoga uske zimmedar tum khud hoge. Aage decision tumhara hai. Case chodna hai ki apni job khoni hai?

Abhijeet - 2 din mai case solve karna hai sir.

             Declared Abhijeet with sheer determination gracing his voice. He stood up from the chair and asked...

Abhijeet - May I leave sir? Waqt bohot kam hai mere paas.

             IG nodded his head in yes and Abhijeet left the cabin. Walking back to his car he settled himself in the seat and drove back to beauro. Where the team was already waiting for him with a few leads...

*Beauro*

            Abhijeet came inside and directly walked to Raghu who was sitting on the round table. And Raghu, scared, almost fell off the chair seeing him. As Abhijeet dragged a chair and sat down on it facing him, he started blabbering even before Abhijeet could ask anything...

Raghu - Maine... Maine kuch nahi... Kiya sahab. Aai kasam sahab... Maine sachi kuch nahi kiya...

             Abhijeet stopped him showing his hand and then asked...

Abhijeet - Daya ne tujhe phone kiya tha na court aane se pehle?

Raghu - Ha sahab. Kiya tha na...

Abhijeet - Uss waqt Daya kaha tha yeh janta hai?

             Raghu gulped down in fear and then nodded his head in a 'no'. Anticipating that this 'no' would anger Abhijeet. But instead Abhijeet nodded his head at him and then said...

Abhijeet - Uss waqt woh Nariman point ke thoda aage tha. Nariman point se court aane mai aadha ghanta lagta hai. Par Daya ko 1 ghanta 10 minute lage. Jabki tab jab usse mere naam ki dhamki mili thi. Kyu?

Raghu - Mereko nai malum sahab... Unhone mujhe aisa... Kuch nahi bataya... Woh toh sirf mereko daate kyuki mai aape nazar nahi rakha court mai. Aur phir bole ki tu court aa... Aur phir phone cut kar diya. Apun ko nai pata sahab ki unko itna time kyu laga waha aane mai!

Abhijeet - Matlab tujhe kuch nahi pata (gritting his teeth)

             Raghu nodded his head in a small 'no' and growling a stern 'Nikal', Abhijeet got up from his seat. While Raghu almost ran off the beauro stumbling upon various things.

             Abhijeet then turned to the team that was already looking at him. Ignoring the questions in their eyes as to what made him so angry again he walked over to them and asked...

Abhijeet - Code break hua?

Freddy - Ha sir.

               Answered Freddy and picked up a paper from his desk. Showing him how they had reached 'kaam hogaya' from the code 'Imprint 29 10'. The method of their code breaking being same as Daya's from few days ago.

Abhijeet - Kaam hogaya? Uss encounter mai inki gang ke 12 log mare gaye the. Deal bhi fail ho gayi thi. Aur encounter ke agle din yeh log message bejhte hai ki kaam hogaya?

Salunkhe - Ha Abhijeet hum bhi yehi soch rahe the. Kahin yeh koi dusra kaam toh nahi?

Abhijeet - Nahi sir. Usually aisi gangs koi bhi 2 important kaam ek din mai nahi karti. Agar information leak ho jaye yaa raid ho jaye toh iss dar se. Yeh log definitely ussi kaam ki baat kar rahe hai!

Purvi - Par sir phir woh log apne 12 log marne ke baad aisa message kyu bejhege? Kaam kaise ho gaya?

Abhijeet - Purvi... Shayad unka kaam hi yehi tha.

Tarika - Apne hi gang ke logo ko marwana?

Abhijeet - Nahi... Mr. Arun aur Miss Gayatri ko marwana! (After a pause) Yeh baat toh hum pehle se hi jante hai na ki koi tha jo Mr. Arun ko dhamki de raha tha. Aur ussi ne unhe dhamki dekar Lonavala bulaya tha! Ho sakta hai yeh sara plan iss Abhay ka hi ho!? Agar aisa hai toh woh dono ussi waqt ussi jagah kaise pohche yeh jawab bhi mil jata hai. Basically yeh plan Abhay ka hoga. Ki woh apni gang ko waha bejhega jiske piche CBI padi thi. Aur saath hi dhamki dekar Mr. Arun ko bhi waha bula lega! Aur sab kuch iss tarah se plot kar diya ki kisi ko samjhe hi nahi ki Mr. Arun innocent hai!

Pankaj - Par sir Abhay Mr. Arun ko kyu marna chahega? Unki kya dushmani ho sakti hai? Aur agar dushmani thi toh woh jo picture Daya sir ko mili thi uska kya? Mr. Vinay ne kaha ki picture dekhke toh woh dono kafi close lag rahe the.

Abhijeet - Yehi toh pata karna hai Pankaj! Yehi pata karna hai! Ki akhir inn dono ka rishta kya hai! Tabhi pata chalega ki Abhay ne yeh sab kiya kyu!

Purvi - Par kaise pata karege sir?

Abhijeet - Daya batayega!

              All turned towards Abhijeet in shock and he continued explaining...

Abhijeet - Daya bhi issi sawal ke piche pada tha. Aur ho na ho usse iska jawab mil bhi gaya tha. Tabhi mujhpar goli ussi waqt chali jab woh court mai aaya. Taki woh sach bata na paye. Abhay usse mere naam se blackmail karna chahta tha... Aur shayad sir ko bhi woh humare aur Arya ke naam se hi blackmail kar raha hai. Tabhi toh Rahul ko bula kar Daya ne usse Arya ka khayal rakhne bola tha!

Salunkhe - Par Abhijeet Daya kaise batayega Mr. Arun aur Abhay ke bare mai?

Abhijeet - Daya nahi toh Daya ki gadi batayegi sir! 18 June ki raat ko Daya jab mere ghar se nikala tha uske baad woh na apne ghar gaya na mere ghar aaya! Usne puri investigation apni gadi mai hi ki. Toh usne jo bhi kuch dhunda tha woh sab uski gadi mai hi hona chahiye! (Turning to Pankaj) Pankaj Daya ki gadi leke aao. Court ke bahar honi chahiye. Usse goli lagne ke baad se kisi ne wapis layi hi nahi!

Pankaj - Sir!

            Pankaj immediately left to get back Daya's car while Abhijeet asked Tarika to go to the hospital and check on Daya as it was nearly 22 hours since his operation and the hospital had not informed them of him gaining consciousness. The doctor had told it was important for him to gain his consciousness in 24 hours. Tarika obliged and headed to the hospital. Freddy, Purvi and Salunkhe took a quick lunch and also forced Abhijeet to accompany them. By the time they finished their lunch Pankaj was back with Daya's car. As they went to the parking they checked it thoroughly. To find it empty!

Purvi - Sir yaha toh kuch bhi nahi hai?

Freddy - Ha sir. Daya sir ne puri investigation car se ki thi toh yaha kuch toh hona chahiye tha? Woh Mr. Arun aur Abhay ki picture... Kuch files kuch paper... Kuch bhi! Yaha tak ki yaha toh Daya sir ka laptop bhi nahi hai!

Abhijeet - Hmm (lost in thoughts). Ho sakta hai humse pehle kisi ne woh saboot nikal liye ho? Yaa phir Daya ne kudh hi kahin chupa diye ho! Kyuki agar Abhay ko yeh pata tha ki Daya kaha hai aur usse dhamki pucha di mere naam ki toh usse yeh bhi toh pata hoga ki uske paas uske khilaf kya kya saboot hai! (Turning to Salunkhe) Sir?

Salunkhe - Ha Abhijeet?

Abhijeet - App please gadi check kar lijiye! Dekhiye kuch milta hai kya.

             Salunkhe sir nodded his head in affirmation and instantly got to work. While others got to the job of finding Abhay. By using informers, local police and everything else that they could. They had to find him by hook or by crook! And that too within a day and a half. Half had already passed by...

             Checkposts, raids, encounters and everything used later they were still far away from Abhay in the late evening when Abhijeet broke the water glass in anger and then ordered the team to leave for home. When they asked him what about him as he didn't even sleep yesterday he answered that he would go home too after finishing one more job...

*Police station, 9 pm*

               Abhijeet parked his car in the parking and walked in through the main door. He ignored the salutes and straight walked to Insp Dev's table. He got up saluting him and said...

Dev - Aayiye sir. Baithiye na (offering him the seat)

Abhijeet - No thank you. Woh mujhe ACP sir se milna hai...

                Replied Abhijeet getting straight to the point. Insp Dev was a little scared seeing his angry eyes and was also a little confused as to what he should do. The CID was not allowed to meet ACP sir but he didn't know how to deny Abhijeet who was standing in front of him with those expressions. He fumbled a little searching for his words and then tried...

Dev - Sir woh... Matlab sir... App unse nahi...

Abhijeet - (interrupting him) Unka lawyer hu. As a CID officer nahi toh as his lawyer toh mil sakta hu na!?

             Dev paused and thought for a moment. Not understanding what he should do. But not having the time to wait Abhijeet added...

Abhijeet - IG Shrikant se baat karwau? Tab jane denge na mujhe?

Dev - Nahi sir koi... Koi zarurat nahi hai. Aayiye aap...

              Nodding his head Abhijeet followed him to the back of the side corridor. To one of the middle cells amongst the others that were mostly empty. Abhijeet observed the surroundings a little as he walked until Dev indicated to the havaldar to open the cell gate. Abhijeet entered inside but without even actually glancing at confused ACP sir who wondered why was he here, Abhijeet turned back to Dev and said...

Abhijeet - I'll like some privacy...

               Dev instantly walked back taking the havaldar with himself while Abhijeet now finally turned to ACP sir who was sitting on the stone bench with questioning eyes.

               The cell was dimly lit as the small yellow blub was incapable of lightening up the place... and as Abhijeet was standing at the far away corner of the room both of them could barely see each other. They stayed silent for a minute. Going through similar emotions... One trying to hide them the other trying to bring them out. After they had observed each other for long enough Abhijeet walked upto the stone bench and stopped at a little distance away from sir. Before he could make up his mind to say anything ACP sir said...

ACP - Abhijeet? Theek ho na tum? Aur... Aur Daya kaisa hai? Hosh aaya usse?

Abhijeet - Apko koi farak padta hai?

            He asked angrily, shocking ACP sir. But to his shock ACP sir's shock slowly turned to a smile and he asked relaxed...

ACP - Naraz ho?

Abhijeet - Mai kyu naraz houga...

ACP - Kyuki tumhe hona chahiye. Aur tumhe haq bhi hai!

Abhijeet - Mai koi naraz waraz nahi...

              He was cut in between by ACP sir who softly held his hand and pulled him to sit besides himself. Although Abhijeet wanted to resist, he couldn't. Even to soft pull on his hand that he could have easily won over but maybe just because it was so soft he didn't have the strength to resist. Sitting down he instantly turned his head to the other side, trying to hide if anything was present in his face. ACP sir asked him again, still holding his palm in his grip, softly,

ACP - Kya hua? Kya baat karni hai mere lawyer ko apne client se?

           Abhijeet harshly pulled out his hand from ACP sir's grip at this and asked a little rudely...

Abhijeet - Aap kal court mai kya bolne wale the?

            He expected either no answer or a twisted answer but instead got a straight one...

ACP - Apna gunah kabul karne wala tha...

Abhijeet - (angry) Toh apne mara tha Mr. Arun aur Miss Gayatri ko?

ACP - (smiling) Yeh baat toh mai 27 saal pehle hi accept kar chuka hu ki woh dono mere hi haato mare the...

Abhijeet - (getting up and walking to the other side in frustration) Aap jante hai mai kya puch raha hu!

ACP - Tum bhi toh uss sawal ka jawab jante ho... Phir kyu puch rahe ho? Aur Abhijeet itna gussa bhi acha nahi ki tum apne sabse strong point 'words' hi galat bolne lago!

             Ignoring his sarcasm, Abhijeet turned back to face him and asked straight...

Abhijeet - Abhay kaha hai?

ACP - Agar mujhe pata hota toh mai yaha nahi hota...

             Abhijeet didn't answer and instead ACP sir asked...

ACP - Tumne bataya nahi... Daya kaisa hai?

            The question worked as a fuel to his fire and he tried growling in anger but ended up grumbling in innocent pain...

Abhijeet - Yaha lawyer mai hu... Sawal karna mera kaam hai!

              As soon as he uttered those words he regretted them. After all no one had the right to talk to ACP sir this way. Not even he himself! And he was about to apologize when he saw ACP sir burst in laughter. A real laughter... Almost after... He didn't know how long... But whatever it was he felt like eternity. The laughter somewhere calmed him down and melted his anger to water in his eyes. To hide them he looked away but then ACP sir got up from his place and slowly walked to him. A small smile still present on his lips...

ACP - Bohot din se man tha kehne ka... Ajj bol hi deta hu... Ache lawyer ho tum! Agar CID officer nahi hote toh lawyer zarur ban sakte the! Par ab sochna bhi mat law karne ka. Mai tumhe apni team mai se kahin nahi jane dunga! Apne sabse ache officer ko aise kaise jane du!

            Abhijeet still didn't turn to him. Still struggling to hold back his tears that were threating to break the barrier of his eyes. He hated the fact how only the presence of ACP sir, he had himself come to, was breaking him like this!

            Understanding his struggle well ACP sir kept a hand on his shoulder and said...

ACP - Kya puchna hai pucho?

            Abhijeet turned to look at him and with his eyes still full of tears asked... Almost whispering...

Abhijeet - Kya hua tha sir 27 saal pehle?

ACP - Tum yeh bhi toh jaan chuke ho ab Abhijeet! Phir kyu puch rahe ho? Tum yeh bhi jante ho ki mai tumhe sach kyu nahi bata sakta. Aur yeh bhi pata hai tumhe ki ab tumhe kya karna hai? Phir? Kya janna chahte ho mujhse?

             A tear finally made its way out from Abhijeet's eye and attaching his head to the wall he closed his eyes letting two more of them fall down. Tired of trying hide them... Tired of trying to lie to ACP sir... In hurt and pain he whispered...

Abhijeet - Daya toh waise hi hospital mai hai... Arya ke liye maine Vishal ko bejh diya hai uspe nazar rakhne. Usse bhi kuch nahi hoga. Toh ab toh bol dijiye na sir... Ab toh sach bol dijiye...

ACP - Aur tum?

Abhijeet - Chodiye na sir mujhe...

ACP - (patting his shoulder) Nahi chod sakta mai tumhe. Aur Abhijeet... Ab tum almost sab jante ho. Yeh bhi ki iss waqt hum dono par nazar rakhi jaa rahi hai... Phir bhi mai chup nahi hu! Phir kyu pareshan ho rahe ho? Tumhe pata hai tumhe kya karna hai! Bas wahi karo. Ajj mai wada karta hu tumse ki kuch nahi hoga!

            Abhijeet opened his eyes seeking assurance in his eyes and when he found the signature ACP sir's strength and determination in his eyes he felt better. A tinge of trust... For him... Of him... That graced them... Forced him to wipe his eyes dry and nod his head in a yes.

            ACP sir on the other hand patted his arm a little and giving him a small smile assured him...

ACP - Daya ko bhi kuch nahi hoga! Humara sher hai woh. Itni aasani se haar maane walo mai se nahi hai!

             Assured... Abhijeet nodded again. Finally feeling the strength in himself to fight whatever came his way. He once again wiped his eyes. This time... Wiped them dry. Then said with the same determination gracing his voice now...

Abhijeet - Chalta hu sir. Parso court mai milte hai. Phir agli baar beauro mai milege!

             ACP sir smiled at him and nodded his head and Abhijeet walked out of the cell not even looking back. Promising to himself and to sir that he will never again see him in this condition and in this place...

             On the other side ACP sir looked at Mahesh who was staring him leaning on the iron bars of the cell in front of ACP sir's cell... Before he could walk upto him and say anything ACP sir walked to the end of his own cell and said gritting his teeth...

ACP - Galti kardi Mahesh... Galti kardi Daya ko goli marwa ke. Keh dena Abhay se... Finally after 27 years... 2 din baad... I will have the last laugh!

To be continued...

              ...Kuch nahi bolna mujhe. Aap log bolo ab. The climax is approaching. The story coming to end in few more chapters. So keep reading and reviewing!