Chapter 6

BitterBerry

@BitterBerry

[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]

CHAPTER SIX



dreams are just the illusion created by your neurons which would dig and dissect each and every molecule of your brain..and would show you your deepest secrets, your wildest fears and your real desires
.


she was walking towards the society gate without even glancing back once. Rain pouring over her whole body. And I just wanted to go behind her ... But there was formed a line between us and I could not. She stood there numb , immobile. I don't know what went wrong? Did I hurt her today without any intention? Because I was hurting her, from so so so many days. she never spoke. She never protested. But today she spoke very much outraged! And for the first time she shut me down. Her eyes were blank and I saw a sort of transformation.. The transformation wasn't for good. I had to drive away and I did.


The images shifted just with little blurriness...and she was lying there in the metal walled truck, her head on my lap , her hand severely bleeding. I was screaming something.. Something like...

'dont give up on me'

'Riya! Don't give up on me'! The second time I said. I was about to go but I didn't want to. I knew my mind will always be here. But I had to...

Then I saw, her eyes fluttered widely and she was looking at me. The look was telling me , that she won't. She wont give up on me. She wont...


'Don't...' The last time I said and everything was blurred after that.





"Don't"! I screamed.

There was no metal wall nor she was lying there bleeding on my lap. It was a dream. I am on the couch. I didn't even realised when I stopped staring into the nothingness and her dreams engulfed me. Fact remains, it was a dream. I was longing for a dream .

No it was a reality. I pleaded her not to give up on me. I was emotionally out of control seeing her hurt. That's what happen when she'd be around me. We are like energised electrons. We could only repel each other. We could never stand on the same ground. Because we define instability. She'd risk her life for me. Get hurt. Bleed to death. I had to stop her . I did. And she gave up.

My digital wall clock beeped notifying me its 6 in the morning. That means i overslept. But after so many days or say years it felt good. To have a normal night. To dream and to sleep. Now its jogging time.


Though I was in the jogging area, I had no intention of feeling the dustless air or the chirping of the birds, or the wetness of the grass. I was thinking about how will I face her. Knowing that she'd helped me with the biggest mission of my life. I need to go to her. I need to thank her. I need to apologise to her. I need to do all those things that I should have done before. I have hurt her. I have hurt her beyond anything. I was cruel to her when she needed me. I thought I was broken but I never thought twice before breaking her. Now I need to fix her...


When I reached the ETF office I found no one around. I thought I am early but I was wrong. The air was already infected with the peppermint fragrance. She's here. She was constantly staring at the fact board, a single red marker in her left hand and in the right hand a coke. Again. Is she addicted to this drink? She used to be addicted to black coffee. Just when she got over with caffeine? Some things about her was constantly taunting me that I don't know her, when I thought I know her. Her hair open. She was completely clad in black dress and was still staring at the fact board calculating things. And I was staring at her bewitched. Would she know if I'd stare at her? Like yesterday? May be she'd ignore me. But why she is alone? Where is Chotu? She was staying at his place last night. Did she change her mind? Did something happened with Shree? Did he say something to her?


She frowned and turned around grabbing the file and flipping pages after pages for a particular information I guess. But she couldn't find. She was studying the case. Like always using her research skills. After some seconds she turned again, this time staring into me. So finally she noticed? But no! She reacted as if I wasn't there. She reacted as if my presence doesn't matter. The aching feeling came after that was worse to me. There was a time, I too used to ignore her presence. And she is doing the same to me. I could understand that. But this pain is too much to stand for. She continued marking signs on the fact board completely ignoring me. No words came out to even interrupt her. Because all those words I practiced all the way vanished inside. I could only think of the way she ignored me. Standing here would be of wasting time. I walked inside my chamber , I just wanted her to be out of my sight. Suddenly I felt anger. She is doing it again. Waking those all emotions that died long ago.


An hour later the office was in chaos like always. People are coming and working and finally it is sounding like a work place. Aisha, Chotu and Shree were there discussing the case. There was no sign of Rathod. He should have been here. I came early so Sakshi have to manage herself. Liza must be in her lab. When I marched into the conference room Aisha and Riya were already in a conversation. They were talking about the case in the most professional way pointing out the clues, Aisha telling her about our work progress and she telling her how she got into to warehouse. The previous bitterness of Aisha about Riya was gone and there was not a hint of irritation on her face to show.

'Sudhir Rao was a doctor and he was found murdered in his own clinic late in the night'! Aisha explained. 'when we discussed with his family member, they said he was stressed and detached from the family. We were clueless as to what happened until one of the family members contacted us about a letter threatening to kill whole the family.

We checked his patients list. We thought one of his patients did this who came for treatment or for some personal reasons but his all patients were fine. The family said they had no enemies. The last time when we asked his family, his daughter Preetika said she saw her father talking to a courier boy at the gate. She was at the balcony. Then Dr. Sudhir came inside with an envelope.

The letter was from the same envelope. We   asked if Preetika can recognize the courier boy but she said she'd only seen his uniform and not his face. We found out about the courier company from its uniform but they said there was no delivery records to Dr. Sudhir.

So one thing confirmed, this guy who pretend to be a courier boy is somehow related to the murder. We checked with their neighbours if anyone had seen this guy but they were as clueless as us. Its when we were looking for clues we found a general store on the way to Dr. Sudhirs place. And the general store has CCTV camera and we finally recovered the footage. His face wasn't clear and he had no vehicle either.

Right to the general store there was laundry mans shop and we asked him too. That's when we found that , this guy bribed the laundry man to get this uniform of a courier guy. The laundry guy also told us that the man will come back to return the uniform. But when he was clueless.

Chotu's informers were constantly hovering around there. It's just the day before yesterday Chotu's informers started following this man and finally they told us about his location , that he'd be in this warehouse. Rest of the thing I think you know...'! Finished Aisha. Riya was listening her each and every word silently.

'Bhadra'! She said. 'his name was Bhadra, one of the prime suspect of last year chain blast in Hyderabad'!

'what'?? Aisha was shocked to reply.

'you mean to say he was a terrorist'? She asked. It would be a shock for us if that man would turn out to be a terrorist but for Riya , it's not. She is dealing with them almost everyday.

' not too much shocking as you think Miss Kapoor, shocking thing is why would he threaten a Doctor and his family'??

'I'd like to see his clinic where he was murdered'! She said glancing back at the files. But Aisha wasn't still convinced. she wanted complete information of Bhadra which riya didn't provide.

'what Bhadra is doing here'? Aisha asked and Riya hesitated for a moment.

'sorry to disappoint you Miss Kapoor but I'd like to share the piece of information with your chief only or may be in his presence. Between where is he'? She asked in a little worried voice. That's it. There is something she is hiding or not comfortable about telling anyone , well that anyone includes her best friends too. Her gaze fixed upon Aisha observing her. Aisha who is now in a trance thinking about Rathod. I need to notice this. She is testing Aisha. Well its not new to anyone that there is something going on between these two but Riya is just too quick to notice this.

'who is missing me '?? Finally the lion entered inside looking at both Riya and Aisha. None of them replied. Another person along with Rathod entered inside following him, stood beside him and his eyes followed to the particular person. Riya. He was was wearing blue denims white shirt and brown leather jacket. not a particular hair style, it was all a mess. He was holding a file. And his eyes were still fixed on Riya with too many emotions. Should I be surprised? Because she was looking at him too with the same emotions. Along with that , there was building a flash of anger as she gulped and her lips tightened instantly ready for anything disastrous. I looked at him again. He was now a little smiling and she is so damn in fire now.

'umm...err! Arjun sir ', Chotu shuttered.

'what??? You were missing me Rawte '?? Rathod! Why would I miss him? His face was like he have dozens of truffles bursting in his head.

'No! I was ! Sir..' Said Riya and Rathod looked at her with amusement. The girl who never opened her mouth unless asked during a discussion is interrupting Sameer Rathod. What more shocks are coming with this woman.

'now that you've officially tagged me with your team I'd want to have some serious discussion with you and well with your team as well'! The tone of indifference in her was so obvious that it stings like someone prickling my heart with acids. She was addressing us like we never knew her and I don't know why in hell this particular thing about her is too much frustrating.

'hmm! But not before this important announcement... Team, this is ACP Anshuman Kashyap , additional chief of NIA. He will be working in this case too along with Riya. Hope we will cope up well', there was a long sigh from Rathod after introducing this ACP to the team and this is so unlikely. Rathod isn't the kind of person who'd tell "cope up" in a formal introduction. There is something and Rathod isn't happy about having him in the team. Or may be I am overthinking.

'Just why'?? An irritating groan escaped from her mouth as she murderously glared at both Rathod and ACP Kashyap. As expected, she was going to be mad seeing him. Last night when Rathod and I talked to the NIA chief he'd warned us about the news that Riya Mukharjee will go mad just seeing the person he is sending here and now I can see how much accurate he was about Riya's reaction. Does he know her more than Rathod? It's been long six year Arjun. And there are just more important people in her life and she cares about them. Like she used to care about us. For a moment I craved for the time when we were just only five and she used to be the mother of the team. But my craving is pointless. I very successfully spoiled too much of her time here that she should not even remember. The worst part is she does. And that's result of what she is today.

'Come on Riya , you need me here'!! kashyap said still with that mischief as if teasing her. In return she just grabbed her coke spared some deathly glares in his direction and stormed out of the room like a tornado. Everyone were just as clueless as me as to what just happened. Riya Mukharjee would be anything but ANGER??? She is changing her own definition. Right now if you'd want to go behind her that decision would prove lethal. And kashyap seems to know that too who made no efforts to stop her or went before her.

'sorry about that behaviour of her but our second in command doesn't like someone babysitting her', Kashyap said a little embarrassed. How truly he just know her? And we were just late to realize the fact. SHE HATE SOMEONE BABYSITTING HER. But why is he apologizing for her behaviour?? This woman isn't helping you know!!! She is just pushing me into pool of curious questions.

'and your dept head just send you here for this purpose'?? I asked not calming down the curious conscious inside me.' No of course not! I have other stuffs to do except babysitting her you know'? He said a little smiling. Rathod introduced him to Aisha, Shree and Chotu. There was no sign of Liza or Sakshi in the room. Rathod was glaring at me for the stupid enough question. I had to tell him that right now I am not the trouble maker here.

'uh..huh! I am getting her back here, we can just have a discussion right now Mr. Rathod'! He said.

'she wont come... I mean not right now', Chotu said and Kashyap stared at him confused and then smiled. 'you are right but I just don't want to give up'! He smiled again and followed the way where Riya had just vanish. Should I say she is lucky to have people who don't give up on her. I wasn't one of them though. Rathod wasn't either.

There was a call from the forensic lab. The DNA profile reports of the collected samples. There could be some clue. Fifteen minutes later Sakshi finally arrived being late enough, in her hand a small paper parcel. Oh no! She'd been to the temple and her lectures about the god is even more irritating. If I don't believe in the god that's my choice. Anyone wouldn't just have to convince me to change my set of mind.

'all are here now, Liza is also will be here.. I am going to call Kashyap and Riya', I said just desperately searching any escape from Sakshi and before she could reach to me with Prasad and piece of lecture I walked out of the room searching for Riya and Kashyap gaining surprised looks from Shree and Chotu. I just need to realise I am acting weird. But I don't want to.

When I looked into the room next to the conference room I finally found them. She was sitting in a chair opposite side of the table. Her back facing me and Kashyap was sitting opposite to her staring at her. The look of mischief gone from his face. He was looking as depressed as a grieving person. She wasn't looking at him but I could feel she wasn't angry anymore. She was aloof. She was cold. She was still disastrous.

'I thought you will understand me Rii..', he said just too much hurt evident in his voice.

'True, I don't. I have lost my infinite capacity of understanding the human reasons and behaviour', she said philosophically true enough. He looked even more hurt.

'Riii... It.. It isn't easy for me'!

'Yeah Anshu, it is not an easy choice. Make it easy and you DO know how to do it'.

'she doesn't belong here..in this mud'.

'I cant believe you are doing this...I don't belong here , you don't belong here . Hell nobody ever should not be here. But that's how it works damn it. You have to get into the mud to clean it. You do know that. And she should know too.. And just don't tell me you stayed away from us for a whole month just to prove a bloody stupid point '!!

'I had.. I had work. I was working in this mission oh why I am telling you? You are not my chief'!

'yeah I am not your chief but still you ARE answerable to me and her... What do you think she need safety? She need security? No damn it, she needs you and me, knowing that the world might just the night before she sleep, we might just not be there for her . But she still want us believing that there will be a tomorrow and the world will live for another darn twenty four hour. Don't kill her hope'!

'all I know is she deserves better. And she will be better away from us'!

'Stop it Anshu! You don't know what she want! Did you ever try to know her craving? You don't!! Please Anshu, don't push her into the same hell I lived all my life and YOU DO KNOW what it made me. Do you want her to be like me'??

'okay fine. I WILL rethink, you have to know woman I can't see you upset or cold or aloof'!

Finally she sighed hearing the much expected answer she wanted to hear may be. I could feel a change in the air. Right at the moment Kashyaps eyes met mine and he frowned. I should not have witnessed THIS. And his expressions were telling me that. All I was thinking was, what are they talking about. And who the SHE is?? And what troubles they are having for her. And for another moment I realized how practical she is. I had always thought her as a girl who believes in fairy-tales. I wasn't wrong. But right now it sounded more like , she believes in a green fairy with a golden sword who just knows there is black witch to fight and kill.

I noticed her moving. She stood up and turned around immediately. Her eyes looking bloodshot as if she was stopping herself from crying. Then there was that anger back. She was burning again. Her nostrils flared and muscles tightened. This doesn't look good.

'Did you lost all your manners ACP? What are you doing here'??? She asked with the same arrogance. And for the moment I forgot all that I have witnessed here. Her angry voice is the only thing running in my mind. She have never used that tone against me. Hell even Rathod have never used that tone against me. I felt like someone slapped me tightly across my face.

'I had no intention of eavesdropping but there is forensic report and I thought you should see that. But I guess you were too busy in your "personal matter"!! I said with the same arrogance but she didn't even flinch a bit. She may be wanted to say something but Kashyap said, "lets go Riya '! She nodded and walked past me. Kashyap too followed her. On the way he just said one thing, 'you better not mess with her again'! Not a warning look. Not coated with arrogance. But the words were demanding enough to be obeyed. That's the thing he doesn't know. There is one thing I cannot stop doing now. And that is to poke my nose in whatever the hell is her matters.

I need to break something or I just need to vent my anger somewhere. And no way in hell she is the person. I had always vented my anger on her and its feeling like I am getting my own words. Does the universe remembers every thing?? Or just for the words? Every action has an opposite reaction! Does the universe remember each and and every vibration in the air caused by my vocal cords and bouncing it in my eardrums??

I was not like this yesterday. Not even last week or last month. Or last year. I was as dead as a corpse. But if she has this intention of waking the dead, I won't disappoint her. You'd have to talk to me Riya Mukharjee, you want it or not. I can not lose the chance of being human again.    You are making me feel like very much human. May be my dreams aren't for this universe. And the alternate universe is non-existent. I am clueless about my own life. All I need is a purpose. A purpose to sustain here. Seems she is here to give me a purpose now.

I too followed them back to the conference room. Liza was already there and was only looking at Kashyap. Its so obvious that she knows him. She said she' d worked with NIA. She must know him. Did he also helped in Sikanders case? Stop thinking about it right now Arjun.

' what is the report saying Dr. D' Cruz'? Kashyap asked and that confirmed they both know each other. It's so strange how Kashyap handles himself in the public and in private. Just minutes ago I saw him depressed over a matter and now he is again back to his mischievous nature.

' the report is confirming the presence of another person in the clinic. The blood sample was of two different person. First the doctor and another is still unidentified '.

'Can you just mail the profile report to NIA. I want to check the match'! Kashyap said. A good idea indeed. Here in ETF we don't have intelligence database so that might be just helpful.

'I am doing it', said shree as he grabbed the paper from Liza and disappeared into his chamber. Here Kashyap called back to his headquarters and told them about the profiling.

'you are sure '? Riya asked Kashyap quizzically and he gave her a look of Are-you-doubting-me'!! Liza and Sakshi both were staring at him. Of course they will. I didn't mention, this guy's got a charm. But Aisha was still sticking with Rathod which is a good thing. But Riya? What are their relation? And things they were discussing was just too personal.

'umm! I went to Mandir', Sakshi said stepping ahead towards Kashyap and he smiled when she offered him Prasad, 'Hii I am Sakshi Anand, criminal journalist'! He looked confused. I guess her role in ETF is still a question. As he looked at Riya and she gave a look as if she is as clueless as him.

'Nice to meet you Miss. Anand',he said and stepped away taking the Prasad. So he is a believer of the god like Riya. I couldn't stop thinking about the day when she had to put the coin in my pocket and that literally saved me life. Again, I never showed any signs of gratitude that time. Next Sakshi walked towards Riya and offered her Prasad but shockingly enough she declined? Did her beliefs in god also changed? Or Sakshi Anand is enough reason?

'You don't believe in god'? Sakshi asked surprised.

'I do'!

'then'?

'I just don't believe the one that's inside the temple'! That's when Shree entered inside with an astounding look on his face. He couldn't believe what he heard. Rathod , chotu and I couldn't either. The only thing that we don't know is how to handle her and rest other things just doesn't matter. The silent persisted for short time only and she was back to normal. To the rude arrogant mode.

'I still cant believe you rejected me to join here Liza'! Kashyap said like a charmer is heart broken and Liza smiled?

'you know you are not my type'!! Liza laughed after that.

'eh! Don't underestimate him. He is everyone's type'!! Riya said and laughed along with Kashyap and Liza. I could already see a fuming Shree glaring at the trio as if he is going to format their whole memories forever.

' between did you find your type'? Kashyap asked smirking.

'yeah! Sort of..' She looked at Shree and his anger grew even higher. What the hell is happening. The most descent and silent people of ETF they were once. Shree and Riya and they are all acting like moving volcano ready to burst anytime. In between all this Rathod was silently observing his team. And he doesn't look happy, though he always make this rotten apple face but this time I can feel him smelling bad.

I took too much time writing this part and still,confused how this came out, but I hope you will all like it

Thank you guys for the previous comments and appreciation. And I will reply individually later.

Hope you enjoy..