Reshimbandh Ongoing M

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Neha walked into Arjun’s cabin, “Bhaiya, those pictures are fake.”

Arjun tilted his head, “You sure?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, “the ones in the hotel and club are real. I had some small talk with the man while waiting for my friend in the lobby and we happened to meet again in the club where I was with my friend.”

“So, he’s your friend?”

“Not really, I don't even know his name. We had a small talk while waiting. So these pictures are from the few minutes of interaction we had out of courtesy. But I'm not sure why someone would want to edit those pictures like that. By the way, who gave them to you?”

“Sakshi.”

Neha narrowed her eyes. “I’ll handle this, don't worry.”

“It is okay to go out and have friends but you have to be careful, dollie. If someone tried to manipulate a few minutes of random interaction like this, then you're in trouble. Whoever edited this has some motive to do so and you can't fall prey to it.” Arjun sighed. “Let me know if there's anything I should help you with, although you are very much capable.” He said with a hint of sarcasm.

“Well, you can pretend to be angry at me.”

“Pretend? I'm still angry at you. You think you can betray me and get away with it?”

“Bhaiya?” She pouted, “I told you it's not personal.”

“It is, to me.” Arjun gave her a death glare.

She took a deep breath, “Sorry.”

Arjun shook his head, thinking. ‘The confidence with which you're lying to me, it's worrying.’

“What do you think you're doing?” Neha screamed at Sikander, “How dare you behave like this? One moment you call me the love of your life and ask me to be the mother of your child and the next moment you humiliate me like this?” She threw the packet on his table. “Disgusting!”

Sikander frowned, picking up the packet, he checked the photographs and curled his fist. He felt his anger rising. He put the pictures aside, “I'm sorry for this, I'll have it sorted.”

“I don't believe you.”

He sighed. “Where did you get these pictures from?”

“Sakshi gave it to bhaiya.” She replied curtly.

“Of course!” He shook his head, picking up his phone, “In my room, right now.”

He cupped her face, but she flicked his hand, “I'm sorry once again, don't you worry, I'll have this sorted right away. They will be punished for this. Nobody violates our privacy and gets away with it.”

Neha pushed him away, “Don't touch me.”

Sikander called his man-Friday Azeem and pinned him to the wall, “Who put cameras in my suite?”

“I don't know.” Azeem answered non-chalantly/

Sikander pressed onto his throat, “Don’t lie to me.”

“It was for your safety.”

“My safety?” He frowned, “from who?”

“Neha Rawte is a cop. What if she poisoned you or killed you in there?” Azeem questioned.

“So you were watching us?” Sikander looked at him with disgust.

“Yes. I don't have any regrets. I will do anything to protect you.”

Sikander pushed him on the floor. “Bloody b*stard. Next time you overstep, I will forget that you're my half-brother.”

Azeem got up, “You're going to regret this.” He mumbled.

Sakshi walked in with an attitude, “Why have you called me?”

“What instructions have I given you?” Sikander asked, smoking his cigar.

“Inform what's happening in the ETF.”

“Then why are you trying to sabotage my work?” He growled.

“Oh, you mean your special nights?” Sakshi chuckled, “maybe if you look at what you're doing, then you'll realise your mistake.”

“I'm not making any mistakes. I know what I'm doing.”

“Your lover is your enemy's sister, the reason your wife is dead and my husband as well. You can forget it, I won't.”

“And here's why you'll never understand what it means to break your enemy from inside, hurt them where it hurts the most. You're new to the game Sakshi, I've been playing it since I was fourteen.” Sikander looked at her, “last warning to you, don't interfere in my game. Do as you're told.”

“Your little game includes sleeping with the enemy, interesting.” Sakshi said with disgust.

“It’s a pleasure, you’ll never know.” Sikander picked his cigar and waved her off.

Midnight

Mumbai harbour

Sameer, Arjun, Aisha, Chotu and Neha were waiting in their spots.

"Sir, it's that container TK58B." Chotu said, looking at the container being dropped. A man in a coast guard uniform waited there with few other men. They were looking at the paperwork.

Neha adjusted the far vision glasses. "Hold on, that person looks like Baldev!"

Arjun took the glasses and checked, he recalled reading that name in her file. Neha was looking up on her phone. "Yes, it's him. Sorry folks, I don't think we should go ahead with this raid. It can't be happening."

"Why?" Aisha asked.

"This man is letting the container to a safe spot, he's an insider. If we go forth with the raid, he will throw us under the bus in the name of violation of territory and we don't officially have the case so it's gonna be difficult to handle the paperwork." Neha sighed.

"But we can't just let them go." Sameer said.

"Don't worry." Neha shook her hand, "we can tip off the Narcs and let them have this batch."

"And we can talk to Coelho sir about the case being handed over to the ETF." Sameer said.

"So we just let this one go?" Arjun looked at Sameer.

"Chotu," Sameer said over the earpiece, "Aisha, keep an eye on this container and ask your informers to spot it's location and give a tip off to the Narcotics Bureau."

"Yes sir." Both answered. They waited until Baldev had left to leave their spots.

"Neha," Sameer turned to her,"you said this batch, means there will be more?"

"Yup. And next time we make sure Baldev isn't there." She nodded. "You have your friends in Narcs, right, hit them up and ask them to keep their eyes and ears open. Something big is coming."

“Sure,” Sameer said.

Rawte Mansion

Neha lay in her bed, trying to sleep but it was far away from her eyes.

I literally can’t stop thinking about you.

I’m so obsessed, I would do anything to keep you with me, forever.

You know I can’t get enough of you?

Why are you so freaking sexy?

She felt Sikander's hands on her body and his voice in her ear. She pressed her ears between two pillows but the voice didn't drown.

She stepped into the shower, trying to wash off the feeling of his touch. Nothing seemed to work. She cried in exasperation. She opened her closet, picking a bottle of whiskey.

“Dollie, promise me, you won't drink.”

“I promise bhaiya.”

“Ugh!” she screamed, “What am I doing?” She crossed her arms and dug her fingers in till it bled. She hugged her plushie and cried to sleep.

“Vik!” Neha voiced out, “I feel lost.”

He shrugged, “Well, if it isn't the consequence of your actions-”

“I know I made a mistake okay, don't have to rub it in.” She gulped a lump in her throat.

“Hey,” Vikram touched her shoulder to console her but she flinched. “What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Don't lie to me.”

“I might've miscalculated him.” She mumbled.

Vikram sighed, “I told you to-”

“You're not helping, Vikram!”

“Alright, let's focus on what our next move is going to be.”

“I can't even think properly.”

“Fine, let’s talk about what you’re feeling, before your new therapist.” Vikram said.

“New therapist? Why, what’s wrong with you?”

“You ask that to yourself before crossing your professional boundaries. I won’t be taking any sessions for you.” Vikram crossed his arms, “From now on, only work.”

“I thought we were friends.”

“Work-friends, not personal.”

Next evening,

ETF lab

“Karan,” Neha went up to him, “did you find any matches to the fingerprints I gave you?”

“No,” Karan answered.

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” He looked up from his laptop.

“Oh, I thought you had something for me.” She tilted her head, “although you might have something for me.”

“What?” Karan looked confused.

“Whatcha doin’ tonight?”

“Umm, sleeping.”

“Wanna do it with me?” She asked.

Keep Neha busy. Sameer had told him. “Fine, I'll drop you home.”

“Sounds good.”

Rawte Mansion

Neha entered the house with Karan, “I'm glad you agreed. Think of it as a favour or whatever.”

“You're a weirdo.” Karan rolled his eyes.

“You haven't seen the real weird me, yet.” She winked and walked upstairs to the guest room.

“This isn't your room.”

“Why would I take you to my room? Nobody needs to know shit, shut up.”

“Okay.”

She locked the door and turned off the lights in the hallway.

“While you decide what to do, I'll take a quick shower.” She glanced at him.

A few minutes later Karan stepped into the shower, “I thought your quick was never-ending.”

“Someone is getting desperate!” She winked.

“Umm,” He stared at her, his heart beating wildly.

“It's a once in a lifetime chance, offer valid tonight only.”

“I'm in.”

At five, the alarm buzzed. Neha turned it off and turned around to see Karan sleeping, his arms wrapped around her. She slipped off the grip, and returned to her room.

“Good morning princess!”

Neha groggily opened her eyes and blinked to get a clear picture of the person waking her. “Papa?”

Shashikant patted her head, “Yes dear, are you waking up?”

She sat up, “When did you arrive?”

“A few minutes ago.”

“Hold on,” she held his hand, “why are you here?”

“Oye? Koi apne baap ko puchhta hai ki kyu aaye ho?” He smacked her head. “Kaam tha isiliye Rahul ne kaha aa jao.”

“Oh,” she smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, “I'm glad you're here, papa.”

“I’m happy to see you too!” He kissed her forehead. “Come on Princess, I'll see you for breakfast in a while.”

“Papa!” Arni and Aryan exclaimed seeing Arjun as he walked out of the dressing room.

Arjun froze in his tracks. He was seeing his little angels in person after three long years. They had grown up beautifully, he got on his knees and cupped their faces. “Hello my precious ones!” The twins placed their heads on his shoulder and hugged him. He patted their back. He had been waiting for the day he would get to see them again but this was out of blue. “When did you come?” Arjun asked.

“Right now.” Aryan answered, “with Kaka.”

Arjun placed little kisses on their forehead and cheeks. His phone buzzed. “Sorry beta, I have to take this call.”

“Sure papa!” Arni nodded.

“Bolo Rathore.” Arjun answered.

“ETF kab tak aaoge?”

“Kuch urgent nahi ho toh second half mei aau?”

“Arre, nahi papa, aap jao. Hum toh abhi soyenge.” Arni said.

“Puri flight mei toh soyi thi, aur neend kaise aayegi” Aryan smacked her.

“Well, I'm tired and sleepy.” She smacked him, “Papa aap evening mei jaldi aana.”

“Haa, evening is good, we'll play!” Aryan nodded.

“Alright.” He answered the phone, “I'm coming in an hour.”

“Okay.”

“Accha, sone se pehle breakfast kar lo.”

“We'll go, freshen up, brush our teeth. Then join you ” Arni said and ran out of the room. She bumped into Neha who was waiting for her. Arni held up her hands and Neha picked her up.

“Akka'i I missed you sho much!” She gripped her hands around her neck.

“I missed you more, my dear.” Neha pecked her cheek. She gently patted the kids back.

Aryan sprinted up to them, “Me hugs!”

“Aaja!” Neha bent down and he jumped into her arms. She showered them with more kisses on their faces and got some sloppy ones in return.

“Okay, you guys go freshen up. Jamna mausi will help you.” She looked at the older woman standing near them.

“Okie dokie!” The twins looked at Jamna, “Thank you for taking care of us.” They folded their hands in a namaste.

Jamna smiled and patted their head.

Arjun, Rahul and Neha were on the dining table, having their breakfast.

Shashikant joined his children. “It's been so long, all of us sat together.”

“Indeed.” She nodded.

Karan came downstairs, finding the full house.

“Karan, beta aajao nashta karne.” Shashi invited him.

“Thank you uncle. But I'll leave, it's quite late.” He gave a quick smile and left.

“What happened to him?” Rahul raised his brow, “did you do something?” He asked Neha.

“Why does it matter?”

“It doesn’t.” Rahul rolled his eyes.

“Kaka, sorry but I don't think you should've brought Anu and Aru here.” Arjun said.

“I understand your concern Arjun but I'm here for 3-5 days and it was an impromptu trip. The kids were adamant on joining me. They were really missing Neha and you.”

“But Kaka, it's not safe.”

“They'll be in the house Arjun, and you can arrange for extra security if you find it necessary. But be rest assured, they're going be fine.” He patted Arjun’s back who tried to protest but saw the kids come in.

“Come on babies, you have Paratha, upma and milk for breakfast.” Neha said.

“I'll have ghee on my Paratha.” Arni said, hopping on the chair.

“I’ll have butter.” Aryan said.

“Sure!” Jamna said, serving them.

“And with milk, you can have it plain, or with chocos, muesli and cornflakes.” Neha looked at the twins.

“I'll have muesli,” Arni said.

“Chocos for me.” Aryan demanded.

Arni changed her mind, “I'll have chocos too.”

“You asked for muesli first, dipshit.” Aryan smacked her.

“It's pipsqueak, idiot.” She rolled her eyes.

“No throwing hands on the dining table.” Neha warned them.

“And not using those words either.” Arjun said.

“Alright, let's get to eating!” Shashi smiled at the little ones.

“Papa, come home early in the evening, then we'll go play. Akka’i, you'll also come early?” Arni looked at Neha.

“I'll try, baby, but you're papa will be there for sure.”

“We're having dinner together.” Shashi reminded Neha.

“Yes dad, I will be there.” Her phone buzzed, “hello?”

There was no answer from the other end but some odd noise. She went out to answer the phone.

“Hello?”

“You're alone?” The familiar voice asked.

Neha felt relieved hearing the voice, “yes-”

“Shyumatsu kin nichi ni san shukka iru.”

“Hai.” she responded, quickly typing in the text. Three containers coming this weekend - Friday and Sunday.

Evening,

ETF conference room

The team were discussing the case at hand, a murder of an unknown man whose organs were missing.

“It looks like an organ trafficking victim, but everything about it is auspicious.” Sameer pondered.

Neha looked at Arjun, “Don't you have the doctors’ appointment to go to?”

“I'll reschedule.” Arjun said, understanding her reference.

“No. This is serious. You have been ignoring your health and the accident hasn't been good. Please get your check-up done.” She was determined.

Arjun sighed and got up, “Call me if anything urgent comes up.” He looked at Sameer who nodded.

Chotu answered the call of his informer, “sir, there's a lead.”

“Let's go then.” Sameer picked up his gun. “Aisha, Neha, let's go. Shree, Sakshi, you continue with trying out find about the man’s identity.”

A cold storage unit. Sameer and Aisha were on the front of this unit, Chotu and Neha covered the back side.

Sameer knocked on the door, and a middle aged man opened it. “Yes?” He asked.

“We're here for a check. Open up.” Sameer asserted.

“Sorry sir,” the man pleaded , “our boss just left and I don't know anything. I can't help you.”

Sameer observed the man, “I have talked to your boss and he said I can look in.”

The man looked at him and Aisha and let them in. They were sprayed with sanitiser upon entering. The man opened another glass door. Sameer and Aisha walked in, looking at the rows of dead animals hanging for draining liquids off their flesh. It was a butcher’s cold storage. Chotu and Neha joined them in and they conducted a thorough search, but nothing except animal flesh was found.

“Damn it!” Sameer sighed. “What was this Chotu?”

“I don’t know sir, my informers always provide solid leads.”

“Collect the samples and send them to the lab. Let’s go.” Sameer looked at the three.

They heard a noise outside, the man was talking to someone who ran away the moment he spotted them.

Sameer and Aisha stopped to question the man while Neha chased the other one. She reached a small lane, felt a shadow grab her inside. He pinned her to the wall. “What are you doing?”

Neha slipped off her hand from his grip, “I'm doing my work.”

“Not that,” Sikander grabbed her face, “how dare that Karan touch you?”

She pushed him off, “my body, my choice.”

“Keep up this attitude and you'll have too many bodies and no choice.” He whispered in her ear and left.

“We have a deal!” She yelled at the shadows where he vanished, a pain shoot up in her abdomen.

“Neha!” Chotu called her, “Are you okay?” She nodded. “Rathore sir is waiting.”

“That other man vanished, I couldn’t find him.” Neha admitted.

Sameer looked at Neha, who seemed uneasy. “That’s oaky but you don’t seem good. Is everything okay?”

“Yes. It’s probably nausea from being in that cold storage.”

“It was a long day, let's call it off. Chotu, drop Aisha on the way.” Sameer instructed.

“Yes sir.” Aisha and Chotu left.

Sameer was driving Neha back, “Neha, sach batao, kya hua hai?”

“Kuch nahi.”

“Lying to me won't help you.”

“I know. I'm fine.” She stared out of the window.

Sameer tried a few times to get her to speak but she didn't budge. “You’re just like Arjun. Obstinate.”

“I know.” She mumbled.

Neha walked into the mansion, putting up a fake smile. Arni and Aryan were sitting beside Arjun and talking animatedly while he was calmly responding to their questions. Her smile widened seeing them.

“Akka’i, you didn't come for dinner.” Aryan complained.

“Sorry baccha, was caught up in work.” she ruffled his hair.

Arjun raised his eyebrows, “All good?”

She nodded. “I'll eat something. Where's dad?”

“I'm here.” Shashi brought out a plate of food.

“Sorry dad, I got busy and late.” She made her way to the dining table.

“It's alright dear.”

“Akka'i, tell us our bedtime story after your dinner!” Arni said.

“Don't you want to hear a story from your dad?” Neha asked. “You know he tells really interesting tales.”

“Really?” Aryan asked.

“Yes!” She nodded.

Arjun looked at his kids, “Yes, now let's go to bed. It's quite late.”

“Story time!” They cheered.

“Papa, we can sleep on your lap?” Arni asked.

“Sure.” Arjun placed a pillow on his lap and she lay down on it.

“Mee!” Aryan also snuggled in.

“Okay so the story is about a beautiful princess.” Arjun began.

“No princess, tell me about the warrior queen.” Arni demanded.

“Yes, yes!”

Arjun cleared his throat, “Okay, once upon a time, in the lands of Southern India, the ruler of Sivaganga lived happily. Their queen, Velu Nachiyar was a brave warrior. She waged a war of independence against the English East India Company.”

Shashi looked at his daughter, who had barely spoken a word during the dinner. “Baccha,” he patted her head, “What is bothering you?”

Neha looked at him, “There’s a few things dad, but it's more or less on the professional front.”

“You can tell me.”

Neha sighed. “I can't - I don't want to put you in any danger, dad. Let it be,”

“Beta, I think you're forgetting that your father is a war veteran. I lost half of my leg in the battlefield while protecting the country and my fellow soldiers. I can handle this too.”

“I haven't forgotten anything, papa. It's just, umm, sorta complicated.”

“I will help you sort it out, then.”

She took a deep breath, “let's go to your room and talk.”

“Fine.”

Sameer was about to call Karan when he walked in with a bruised face and bleeding hand.

“Karan!” Sameer ran up to support him. “What happened?”

“I was crossing the road, I biker hit me. It's not much.”

Sameer helped him rest on the couch as he brought out first aid. “Was it accidental?”

“Obviously, Bhai. Why would it be deliberate?” Karan winced in pain as Sameer cleaned the wounds. “He was speeding and came out of nowhere.”

“Be careful.” Sameer looked at him, “where were you last night?”

“With a friend.”

“Neha?”

“Why are you asking?”

“I saw the way you were looking at her today.” Sameer sighed, “Decide what you want for yourself. Is she really worth wasting your time after? Move on Karan, she does not love you.”

“Bhai, I know what I’m doing.” He nodded.

“Alright. Take are of yourself.”

“Goodnight bhai.”

Sakshi lay on her bed, looking at her former husband’s picture on her phone. She remembered the fateful day.

Four years ago.

Sakshi heard a knock on the door. She was about to open when her neighbour’s voice came through.

What do you want?

Do you have a child between 7-14 years of age? We are beginning a new batch to teach kids on weekend.

Not interested. The door was closed with a loud thud.

This time it was her door. Her husband opened it.

She asked the same question. Do you have a child between 7-14 years of age?

No, but I could have one with you. Her husband said to the teenager.

She pushed him aside and apologised to the girl who looked shocked at the statement. Sorry, he was joking. She closed the door.

Some time later she went out to buy groceries when she overheard the girl on the phone.

‘The suspect for case file 4432 lives in House number 37, …”

Sakshi froze on her tracks as she heard her address. She rushed back to inform her husband who ignored her warning. Within a few hours, their street was raided, her husband tried to escape but ended up getting shot.

Sakshi’s ears burst with the gunshot sound and her eyes welled up with tears. She will never forgive Arjun and Neha for ruining her personal paradise.

With this chapter, my fic is officially 51+k words long in total! smiley40