The Present - Chapter 31

             Hello... Hello... Helloooooooooo! No bak bak and only chappy. Chalo jaldi jaldi pado!

                            Chapter 31

             The door of the ward opened and Pankaj and Dr. Salunkhe entered inside with Dai maa. Purvi and Tarika were already here with Arya lying unconscious on the couch. Seeing her lying like that Dai maa asked panicked...

Dai maa - Yeh Arya ko kya hua? Yeh aise kyu...?

               Giving a small pat to Daya's hand Abhijeet got up giving a break to his silent conversation. Then walked back to Dai maa and said calmly...

Abhijeet - Aap baithiye hum batate hai...

Dai maa - Lekin beta Arya ko hua kya hai? Woh yaha kaise aayi aur yeh so rahi hai kya? Par uth kyu nahi rahi? Aur mujhe kyu bulaya hai yaha par?

Abhijeet - Arya bilkul theek hai. Aap pehle shant ho jayiye. Hum sab batate hai.

              He glanced at Arya saying this. When Purvi and Tarika had come in with her he had not not even cared to look at her as he was busy with Daya. But now as he did, he somewhere found anger again gripping him. But exhaling a deep breath he calmed himself down and sat down besides Dai maa and as she impatiently waited for him to say something, he took his own time to brace himself... Brace himself for 'the truth'.

              Meanwhile team also settled taking their own places knowing this was going to be a long conversation.

              As Abhijeet was ready now he directly got to the point...

Abhijeet - 27 saal pehle... Kya hua tha?

              Dai maa averted her gaze and mumbled...

Dai maa - Mujhe nahi pata beta...

Abhijeet - Aapko pata hai aur yeh hum jante hai. Apke fingerprints Mr. Arun ki gadi mai mile hai. Encounter ke din aap bhi uss gadi mai thi! Aur agar ACP sir ka alawa koi sach janta hai toh woh aap hai.

              She nodded her head in a no but obviously knew that she did not have any other escape. The realisation brought some tears in her eyes and looking at Arya she said slowly...

Dai maa - Dekha tha na Daya bete ke saath kya hua jab woh sach tak pohacha? Mai meri bachchi ke saath aisa kuch nahi hone de sakti!

Abhijeet - Mai wada karta hu apse Arya ko kuch nahi hoga. Aur mai yeh wada isilye nahi kar raha kyuki mujhe sach janna hai. Isilye bhi nahi kar raha kyuki woh sir ki beti hai. Isilye kar raha hu kyuki maine usse apni behan mana hai! Naraz hu par nafrat nahi karta mai usse. Woh galat hai par gunhegar nahi yeh mai janta hu. Usse kuch nahi hone dunga mai. Aur uski safety ke liye hi hum usse yaha laye hai. Aap befikar sach bata sakti hai.

            Dai maa turned to look at him. For the first time looked in his eyes since she had come in. She seemed to be trying to find something. Truth in his eyes that she could trust him... Trust him with her Arya. When she found the truth of his words reflecting in his eyes she asked slowly.

Dai maa - Kya janna hai mujhse?

Abhijeet - Sab kuch...

*Next morning*

              The day of the hearing arrived. The team was pretty sure it would be second last hearing, as Abhay was still missing. They knew everything. Everything that had happened. Everything that forced ACP sir to be quiet. Everything that caused Daya to be hit with a bullet. Everything that made Arya her father's enemy. And everything they had been searching for. The only thing missing was Abhay. Who would take them a little more time to be caught. But Abhijeet knew the hearing would be last for him. Cause IG Shrikant had already told him it would be last for him! He had not yet told the team about it. Or else they would panic without any reason. Without any reason? Him losing CID was not just any reason! But when at stake were ACP sir and Daya he was ready to lose his all... Even if meant losing CID.

              Dai maa had left for home. To freshen up before the hearing. Cause she had an important statement to make. Pankaj accompanied her for her safety. Arya was still unconscious and with Purvi and Tarika. In Purvi's home. To make sure she stayed safe. When she would wake up she would obviously ask questions and maybe even tell the court that they kidnapped her. But as far as it was about her safety they had to take the risk. Freddy was still trying to get any leads of Abhay. How could they give up until the last moment? And Dr. Salunkhe did the formalities of the hearing like giving out the list of witnesses and organisation of evidence. Abhijeet stayed in the hospital with Daya. Looking at his security and taking care of him.

              Unlike the past two days. He was calm now. No anger, no frustration, no hurry. He was calm and composed. On the verge of losing his CID but on the verge of getting back his ACP sir. So he was on the happier side of the calmness. Just that Daya would wake up and everything would be fine. He was ready for the sacrifice... And he didn't even call it one. For him it was a responsibility. Of being a son and a brother. Yet a small part of his heart pained... Cause today he was going to lose what gave him everything... His relations... All his memories... And a reason to live.

              Holding Daya's hand, he sat. This time conversing in words... To someone he could share the truth with. Someone who he could tell that he was going to lose CID today. He wanted to share it with Daya. No matter he would not get up to console him but sharing it with him would be enough consolation for him.

Abhijeet - Pata hai Daya... Ajj na akhiri hearing hai. Matlab shayad second last par meri akhiri. Ab kyu... Woh mai tujhe nahi batauga. Naraz ho jayega na tu. Par haa... Ajj ACP sir zarur begunah sabit ho jayege. Bas ek baar Abhay uska gunah kabul karle phir woh wapis aa jayege... Humare paas. Maine tera kaam aadha nahi rehne diya Daya. Maine sach pata kar liya. 27 saal pehle kya hua tha woh bhi. Aur ab kya ho raha hai woh bhi. Bas ab tu bhi apna wada pura kar. Aur jaldi se uth jaa. Mere liye nahi toh sir ke liye. Unhe lene unka ladla nahi jayega toh unhe acha nahi lagega na?

              Interrupting his one sided talks, his phone rang. And seeing it was one of his informers calling he attended the call and went outside the ward to talk to him.

*10 minutes later, in the ward*

               The ward was unnaturally silent. With only a few beeps from the machines and nothing else to be heard around with Abhijeet having moved out now. In the still silence that had engulfed the room the only movement that was being made was by Daya's ring finger. And as it continued moving without any support from his other fingers his breathing became a little heavy. Taking in a few of those ragged breaths, he moved his head to a side slowly... Trying to press it hard on the pillow to reduce the throbbing pain that had his head gripped. His eyelids fluttered trying to open but the headache was so excruting that instead of opening his eyes he pressed them close even harder. Just as he was trying to hold his head suddenly a few flashes came to him. With his eyeballs desperately moving behind his closed eyelids he took a few more of ragged breaths and then sprang up sitting straight. With his eyes shot open and he gripping onto the bedsheet he huffed a few times. Then looked around the room trying to understand his surroundings... And then inaudibly mumbling, "Mu... Mujhe... Jana hoga..." stumbled out of the bed. The drip and other machines attached to his body pulled him back but he pulled at them roughly and put them to side. Then stood properly trying to maintain his balance. Groaning in pain he tried reaching his back's wound but he couldn't. His legs felt extra heavy so he was not able to walk properly but and ignoring it he somehow stumbled to the bathroom.

              A few minutes later Abhijeet entered the room saying into the phone...

Abhijeet - Kuch pata chale batana mujhe. Rakh ab...

               And as he looked straight Daya was missing from the bed. Confused and panicked he looked around but unable locate Daya he moved back to the door to see outside. He was fearing that someone would have kidnapped him and cursed himself under his breath for leaving him alone in the room. But before he could open the door of the ward, the door of the washroom opened and noticing the door opening he walked over to it to see Daya stepping out.

Abhijeet - Daya! (Happily) Tujhe... Tujhe hosh aa gaya (examining him from top toh bottom and holding his arm to support him) Theek hai na tu? Zayada dard toh nahi ho raha? Aur tu khada kyu hua sidha. Lete rehna tha na. Ab aa baith! Mai doctor ko bulata...

             Cutting him off Daya asked still uncomfortably shifting in his place...

Daya - Abhay mila?

Abhijeet - Abhay?

             He had forgotten all in happiness! And why wouldn't he? His Daya was here standing in front of him... All fine! In his complete consciousness and on his legs, moving his hands, that is with no paralysis.

             After a second he realised who 'Abhay' and said...

Abhijeet - Abhay ko baad mai dekhege... Tu baith pehle...

              Tugging on his hand slowly not wanting to hurt him, Abhijeet tried taking to him bed but Daya didn't move from his place and fired his next question...

Daya - Hearing kab hai?

Abhijeet - Aree yaar ajj hi hai... Par tu...

Daya - Toh tum court kyu nahi gaye?

Abhijeet - Chala jauga na. Abhi doctor tujhe check karle phir mai nikalta hu. Time hai abhi!

Daya - Theek hai. Tum court ke liye niklo mai Abhay ko arrest karke lata hu. Tum tab tak sambhal lena court mai.

Abhijeet - Kya? Kya bol raha hai tu? Halat dekhi hai apni? Iss halat mai tujhe Abhay ko arrest karne jana hai! Pagal ho gaya hai?

Daya - Abhijeet baat ko samjho! Abhay hi gunhegar hai. ACP sir ka, humara, Arya ka, sab ka. Jab tak hum usse dhund kar nahi late hum sach jaan ke bhi sabit nahi kar payege!

Abhijeet - Ha toh next hearing mai karege! Par abhi tu kahin nahi jayega!

Daya - Abhijeet itna waqt nahi hai! Woh nikal jayega yaar... Mujhe jaane do mera jana bohot zaruri hai!

Abhijeet - Daya tum...

Daya - (angry) Tum kya chahte ho ACP sir zindagi bhar uss gunah ki saza kate jo unhone kiya hi nahi? Apni hi beti ki nafrat bina wajh sehte rahe woh? Humse, CID se sabse dur rahe jabki unki koi galti hai hi nahi!

              Abhijeet held his hands that he was moving in random directions in anger and then said slowly trying to calm him down...

Abhijeet - Pehle tu shant hoja. Kuch nahi hoga. Samjha? Hume pura sach pata chal chuka hai. Kya hua tha 27 saal pehle yeh Dai maa bata chuki hai aur usse sabit karne ke saboot bhi hai humare paas. Abhay gunhegar hai yeh baat hum sabit kar sakte hai!

Daya - Aur tumhe lagta hai ki hum sab sabit kar denge aur woh chup chap baitha dekhta rahega? Sach hi batane aa raha tha mai uss din court... Nahi bata paya na? Jab tak woh humari giraft mai nahi hoga hum sach jaan kar bhi sabit nahi kar payege!

Abhijeet - Par Daya ab waqt nahi hai. 8 baj rahe hai. 9 baje court ki hearing hai... Aur hume pata bhi nahi hai ki woh hai kaha? Freddy ab bhi laga hua hai... Par uski location hume nahi pata!

Daya - Ha toh waqt nahi hai isilye toh mai bol raha hu ki tum court jao. Mai usse leke aata hu. Mujhe pata hai kya karna hai!

Abhijeet - Par teri halat...

Daya - Zinda hu! Kafi hai! Zinda rehkar bhi mai kya kar lunga agar sir ko begunah sabit nahi kar paye toh. Please Abhi... Mujhe kuch nahi hoga.

              Daya had started angrily but at the end turned teary. And how could Abhijeet turn down his Daya's teary request. Reluctantly he agreed nodding his head in yes and instantly added...

Abhijeet - Par tu akela nahi jayega. Team ko saath leke jaa!

Daya - Tum bhi akele nahi jaoge. Mai Pankaj aur Purvi ko le jata hu tum Freddy ko leke jao...

             Abhijeet sighed in disappointment but didn't waste time arguing as he already knew the result of it. And seeing him convinced... Not exactly convinced but agreeing... Daya said...

Daya - Theek hai phir mai chalta hu...

Abhijeet - Aree par doctor?

Daya - Ha toh doctor ko tum bol dena mai chala gaya!

Abhijeet - Hain?

Daya - Ha!

             And without waiting for anything more Daya hurried out of the ward while Abhijeet followed him wanting to say something but then seeing Daya moving to the fire exit ended up saying something else...

Abhijeet - Ab yaha se kyu jaa raha hai?

Daya - Kyuki mai Arya jaisa pagal nahi hu. (Indicating to his hospital clothes) Ke logo ke samne se jau!

             In small smile Abhijeet nodded his head in a no and as Daya somehow ran down the stairs and disappeared from his vision, he head to the doctor's cabin... To inform him that his patient was fine and already out of the hospital after gaining back his senses after two and a half days.

*About an hour later, outside court*

             Abhijeet stood leaning on the car as he impatiently tapped his foot on the ground. Beside him, stood Freddy glancing at the main gate every now and then. They were waiting for Daya, Pankaj and Purvi. But instead of them Arya drove in with Tarika and Rahul who the team had informed about Arya's whereabouts. As Tarika parked the car, Arya got down to face Abhijeet, to look into his eyes demanding answers. Knowing he owed her an explanation he said,

Abhijeet - Tumhari safety ke liye zaruri tha.

             He waited a second for her to reply. But when she couldn't frame her words by then he said...

Abhijeet - Chalo hearing ka waqt ho raha hai...

Arya - Ek minute! Aap jante bhi hai aap kya bol rahe hai? You literally abducted me! And you say it was for my safety?

Abhijeet - Yes it was. And you are free to reveal this in the court. (After a pause) Ab chale?

             Arya nodded her head in a furious disappointed no and walked off with Rahul. Veer also arrived at that moment and so all others followed them inside silently. In their hearts hoping for Daya's success.

             Soon as they settled in their respective places ACP sir walked in with the SIT. Abhijeet turned to look at him while he smiled at him softly. For the first time in past few months... He smiled assuringly.

             And then walked in the judge. All stood up and as he settled in his seat they sat down. ACP sir went up to his place in the accused box and stood there calmly. Waiting for the hearing to begin. To see what did his team find out today...

To be continued...

            So kya hoga? Daya sir ko Abhay milega? Agar nahi mila toh Abhi sir toh CID se nikal jayege! Aur woh sach hai kya jo Dai maa ne team ko bata diya but maine aap logo nahi bataya (giggling). Acha acha no gussa. Agle chappy mai pakka. Abhi mujh jaldi jaldi review de do. Kuch hi reviews karne hai ab iss par. Only a few chapters remaining in The Present! And once again sorry for the small chappy. But this was important aur mai isse zayada isme nahi likh sakti thi nahi toh suspense kharab ho jata!