Chapter 7

4 years ago

Dass dungi

@Phir_Mohabbat

Next day, ETF

If there was any record of how many changes can happen in a day, this day surely would have made it to Guiness books. Like everyday, today also office started to pour in the same time, there were same sorts of works they were carrying on with, and those who had finished their paper work were hanging out in hush hush tone. Every thing was just like the way they were supposed to, but then, the Bosses entered and every thing was just. . . different.

After the punching match yesterday in Chief's cabin, we can see Rathore with a wounded nose entering the office with a small bandage on his nose. Surprisingly, none of the office stuffs witnessed yesterday's incident so they were spared the embarrassment. He entered in his cabin, his face grave like he had eaten something nasty and shut himself up in there. After several minutes, Rawte entered and followed the same routine, shutting himself up in his cabin. Today for a change, he didnt even pretend to read the same case file he do every day, but he was busy to keep his legs on table and twirl that pen around his fingers, his eyes never leaving the main door as if he was expecting something. . . or maybe, someone?

Some 30 minutes later, to the office people's astonishment, DIG raghu sir along with NIB chief and secretary to the internal affair minister entered ETF. They had not receive any notice regarding it so the initial minutes were on chaos, but then the core ETF team, Aisha Shree Chotu along with Liza took matters in their hands and leaded them toward conference room. Aisha went to get Rathore and Rawte came out of his cabin, and at the same time Riya entered office, her face initially nervous, then surprised, and then determined.

"perfect timing." Liza said to her as the ladies headed toward conference room, to which she exhaled. She spared a glance to HIM, and all of them entered in the conference room and took their seats.

Rathore along with Aisha entered, his face the same grave like earlier. Raghu sir gave his two ex students a look, and then stood up to start.

" I am sure you all are surprised at our unexpected arrival," he paused, again glancing at Riya rathore, then carried on, "but the matter at the hand demands our urgent attention."

''sir I. . ." Rathore stood up and about to say something, when raghu sir glared at him, effectively shutting him up. Everyone looked puzzled at this.

"I will appreciate if none interrupt me as long as I am talking." His eyes never left while talking from Rathore's face, and he looked annoyed at this, but chose to keep quiet. The team focused their full attention to Sir and he started talking, taking a deep breath.

Last night, after everything came out, Rathore wisely called Raghu sir and requested him to officially let ETF handle Sikandar's case. Raghu sir was, no doubt, happy that finally Rathore gathered his brains, exclaimed in something like "About bloody time!" They both talked for a while and decided it will be best that if Raghu sir along with Minister and NIB chief came to ETF and explain all these to team, also Rathore, for the first time, was on the guilty side and he clearly didnt want to face his team's accusing look and explain them about this case at the same time. Rathore was too busy to willow in self pity today so the arrival of Raghu sir and team totally slipped off his head and team had such a pleasant surprise today.

raghu sir spared no details while explaining about this case at hand, the connection of illegal arms dealing gang and Sikandar's link to this (to which Aisha glanced at Riya, not in surprise but in something like 'I knew it!'), also, The Chief rathore and new entry Riya's findings without telling anyone a thing. Rathore again, wisely chose to keep his head down while Riya stared hard at the table at her own reflection, not meeting anyone's eyes. Shree Liza gave each other a look as Raghu sir explained more, linking that dead body and mobile they had to examine, respectively. The team looked impressed, yet hurt that their own team mate and boss hide so many things from them, and somewhat furious too when they came to know rathore himself let NIB to dig more into illegal arms dealing gang.

Raghu sir finished talking and silence prevailed in the room. he sat down and drunk quite a mouthful of water, and then started talking again, clearing his throat.

"As, you can see, the cat is out of bag, so there is point to keep this case out of ETF's hand. Your Chief, Rathore himself requested me to let ETF handle this case."

"Why now?" Shree asked, somewhat hurt and angry, "What was the need to hide all these earlier?"

Raghu sir again glared at his ex students, particluarly to two people, "I will spare you the glorious details, but . . . as they say, better late than never. From now on, ETF will handle this case along with NIB."

He motioned NIB chief, who stood up from his sitting position and approached the team.

"After the raid in Bangalore, till now we managed to get the sketch of Monu, the right hand man of Sikandar who handle business in Mumbai and mostly in India." he took out some photographs and distributed them to the team.

"One police officer in Bangalore, he nearly caught him during the raid but unfortunately he managed to escape. Nevertheless, we were able to get a sketch, and as we speak our officers are trying hard to catch him. They are all over the city, guarding every bus stop, rail way stations, taxi stands, airport. There is no way this guy can get out of Mumbai."

"Are you sure he is still here?" Rawte, after all this time, asked.

"Positive. According to our source, after the raid in Bangalore he escaped from there, as the city was on high alert then. Also, Mumbai is his safe place, but of course, its not anymore."

"That raid happened about some 20 days ago, and yet there is no news?" Chotu sounded somewhat sarcastic. the NIB chief, chuckled softly.

"I think we all are forgetting with whom we are dealing. We didnt even know the existance of this gang but yet, they were right under our nose doing all sorts of illegal dealings. There is a great deal of development, and all credits goes to Miss Mukherjee and Rathore."

The team again glanced at these two, the earlier expression replaced with pride.

"Monu, this guy is the right hand man." Raghu sir started speaking again, "Of course, it will be a tough nut to crack to get him, but we are trying our best. And now, as ETF also on this job, I am expecting some result sooner."

"We are getting many sources that he was seen here and there, but some turn out false, some turn out right but we were late. He is just like his master, a shadow who disappears at the nick of time."

"Just like his master." This came jointly from Riya and Rawte, the former still looking at her own reflection on the glass table, while the other staring hard at the sketch of Monu. The team glanced at them, but then their attention turned to the secretary who stood up after all these time.

"The Minister gave his full consent to let NIB and ETF jointly handle this case, and they will get every help from any department as they required during this case. He wishes you people all the best, and hoped from now on there will be much more progress on this and soon we will be able to catch the devil, Sikandar."

"So, what is the next plan of action?" Asked Aisha, staring around. Raghu sir gave a look to NIB chief and he nodded back, preparing to answer that.

"The gang already got quite a blow due to Bangalore's raid, and now the right hand man himself is under our radar. The gang is quite vulnerable, so I on behalf of my team propose to attack the gang from all sides. Raids, arrests, and if needed, encounter too."

"Those friends of Rafik are of no use now." Riya spoke and everyone looked at her, puzzled. She at last shifted her gaze from table and looked around, and found Rawte's eyes, who understood her point, nodding slightly at this.

"And why is that?" Rathore asked, speaking after long time.

"The gang surely know now that they have been arrested. They must have shifted from those hiding places, godowns to a new place." Rawte replied, his eyes not leaving Rathore's, to which the latter nodded slowly, again back to stare at the table.

"And that means our work just got tougher." NIB chief sighed.

"And that also means its good that you got extra hands to help." Raghu sir added and beamed enthusiastically to ETF team.

NIB chief and Secretary took their leave, and team also left the room, leaving the three ex students and the former mentor in the samre room. Last time they checked, the sir was pissed at his two students, but hopefully now he dont have any reason to be pissed. Still, he glared at Rathore for some reason unknown to the rest of two.

"Sir I. . ." Rathore opened his mouth to speak, to which Raghu sir explained loudly.

"For God's sake, Rathore!" He exclaimed. Well, this was not good, Raghu sir now started to call by surnames, a sign he is pissed and should not be crossed. Other two glanced at each other, and then wisely stepped back, hoping to get out of the room without Raghu sir noticing, but too bad, he just did!

"Where are you two going?" He barked.

"Umm. . ." Rawte for the first time looked lost for an answer. It doesn't matter if you are the eccentric angry young man of department, in front of this man, they still feel they were the same mischievous kid of Academy days.

"Giving you two privacy?" Riya mumbled to herself, and Raghu sir shot her a look.

"I dont need privacy with this man." He raised his voice, "I just cant make him understand, maybe you can."

"Err. ." Riya Rawte spoke jointly. Raghu sir exhaled sharply, and Rathore looked around for divine intervention.

"He wants to resign!"

"He WHAT?!" Shocking the living daylights out of two, they shouted, staring at Rathore with wide eyes.

"Explain my bad mood?" Raghu sir replied, running his hand in hair, "He has started this since last night. Tell me, what you three did now? He himself called in middle of night telling to let ETF handle this, said Rawte now know everything. I thought finally he had seen some sense, but right now I see him, he got a broken nose! What is exactly going on between you three?" He demanded, glaring at three.

Riya finally noticed his broken nose and snapped her neck toward Rawte, her eyes suspicious, to which he just continued to stare at floor. He surely could not do this, could he. . .?

"Dont tell me you did this to him." raghu sir must be thinking along the same lines like Riya, as he also turned a suspicious eye toward Rawte. Rathore cleared his voice, sparing the former the torture.

"Sir, please, accept my resignation."

"I wont." Raghu sir flatly refused. Riya looked confused, and asked aloud, "Why resign?"

"Ask him!" Raghu sir replied, now leaning over table while looking at the three. Rathore exhaled sharply, fianlly ready to answer the million doller question.

"you want me to answer this aloud? Fine! I feel guilty to hide all these from him, from my team. I finally crossed a line which I should not have, and now I feel guilty about it. It will be uncomfortable to stay under same roof and work on this case, I dont want to trouble anyone." His eyes linger over Rawte for a while on HIM, "Thats why I am resigning. Sir, please, accept it."

"The Rathore I used to know, he dont run from things." Raghu sir answered quietly, and Rathore for some moments looked tongue tied. Riya sighed too, and then remembered something.

"What about my resignation then? I am out of here too?"

"Is there some competition going on? Who can resign first?" At last the Raghu sir volcano erupted and every good humour (if there was any) vanished. he towered over the three, making them feel like they are back in academy and he was lecturing them about something.

"I am not accepting any of your resignation. I do not care who feel uncomfortable working with who. You people are adult for God's sake, behave like that. I want each of you to behave professionally while you are on work, I care a damn if you want to kill each other in your personal lives. From this time on, I want 110% of your focus on work and expect brilliant results. Do not disappoint me, after all, you were the best students I have ever got." His eyes soften for a while, then he was back.

"What are you looking at? Go, get back to your work." with that, he walked out of the cabin, banging the door behind him. The trio gave each other a look, and shrugged at the same time.

"Still make me feel like academy." rawte spoke to himself.

"You bet." The other two agreed, at the same time, and then they three chuckled, suddenly the atmosphere didnt feel that heavy.

The next couple of days passed in hustle and bustle. It was all over in the media, that NIB and ETF were working together on a important case and that Sikandar, the shadow all used to think doesnt exist, suddenly came alive. Rawte specially, become celebrity once again as everyday news paper dissected his past life, and took digs at police department that how they didnt trust their own officer years ago, completly forgetting these same news papers had lebeled Rawte as insane unstable and some not so polite things. The city was on high alert as suddenly local police and every other crime fighting department was hypersensitive, raids on the infamous places all over Mumbai had become a regular routine, none was safe, not even petty thieves and not even drug dealers. Police were more ruthless to the criminal who had history to illegally sale or buy arms, and mostly because of these people they managed to get some more hiding places of this gang. They raided in some places too, got some more illegal consigments, though not that much large like Bangalore but surely it was something. They had cornered this gang in Mumbai from all sides, but yet they could not get Monu or anyone in the high ranks. Somehow they all were always able to get away.

In ETF, things were not easy for the Chief and his partner in secrecy too. Rathore, for starters, were able to avoid the accusing but pride eyes of his team, but it was impossible to shake off his inner guilt toward Rawte, though the latter didnt intend to make him feel miserable about hiding everything earlier. Rawte finally accepted he cant do anything without a team to back him up, and with this new knowledge he found himself more devoted and part of team, the inner driving force that he was this close to get the man who killed his wife rulling his life and giving him energy to survive him only in cutting chai and frequent meals. Riya, on the other hand, neither liked the accusing eyes and nor she enjoyed the pride eyes, it has been ages that she did something to make others feel proud about her. She avoided everyone whenever she was not working, and she was working always. she was all of a sudden very much alone, she still didnt talk to Rathore, feeling weird that what she should talk to him about, as she did nothing wrong to hand over the case files to Arjun. On the other hand, though Arjun was the one to stop her from going back, they hardly talked post the airport incident.

These three channelised all their frustration toward the case, and outside office in the encounters to kill the bad guys. With the rising number of raids increased the death toll too, media again lunged on their throats telling how police is misusing their powers and tortuing criminals who had no links to the ongoing case, to which everyone very much wanted to answer one thing, they got the green signals from high authority, but none did. It was like some secret of the department.

It had been exactly 10 days since ETF and NIB jointly handeling this case. The ETF team called it off for a day as they just had been back from one of such encounters, which was little more bloody than usual ones. The office was nearly deserted, except of course, for the second in command who had made this office a way to spend his sleepless night and the ex new entry, Riya, who was still doing some paper work, like if she doesn't world will fall apart. She took little time off as she suddenly felt headache, now standing near the window observing the night beauty of Mumbai, with a steaming cup of black coffee in hand.

"Enjoying being all alone?"

She snapped out of it and stared with wide eyes as she saw Rawte standing near her, looking at her intently. It was such a shocker, she could not even open her mouth to speak initially. He took her off guard, they never talked properly post her entry in office and now he was here, for a little chit chat, to talk god knos what.

"I dont mind." She replied quietly, having difficulty to remove her stare from his face. No, his face didnt become interesting in these days, and she knew it was rude to stare, but still she just cant. He leaned over the wall near window, holding her captive more than ealier, crossing his arms over chest.

"You were always a loner."

"And you were always a people's person." She could not stop herself, "Always surrounded by people who admired you. Mr. Popular."

He smiled little, sighing, "Old days. But time changes."

"yeah, it does." She agreed, her eyes slightly out of focus, then she was back on earth, taking a sip of her coffee. He looked disturbed at this, to which she stared right back.

"What?"

"How can you drink that awful thing called coffee?" He exclaimed, to which she chuckled, surprising him.

"What?" He asked, not getting why she is laughing. She shook her head, her smile slowly fading.

"Someone else had also said similar thing."

They stood there in silence, she was busy in her coffee and staring outside, while he was busy to observe her.

"Why you are still here?"

"paper work."

"its not like if you dont do it today world will end tomorrow." He rolled his eyes. her lips twitched in amusement.

"Coming from the person who absolutely loathes paper work. Why I am not surprised?"

"I am serious." He straighten himself, "You look tired."

"I will survive." She answered quietly, suddenly regretting this conversation. He is observing her and she just dont like extra attention to herself.

"With your anti depression pills?" He asked, and she looked absolutely stunned at his comment. her hand which was holding her mug hung in air, and her mouth was open in O shape. How the hell he knows?

"I saw the empty bottle in dustbin." He explained.

"And you thought its mine?"

"I know enough about everyone who works in this office, and had not seen anything like that ever here." He gave her a DUH stare, he is not a fool to miss these things. She looked away, again back to her coffee.

"Go home." He again pushed. She sighed loudly.

"I was going, remember? You didnt let me."

"I didnt mean that home, you know it." He was little annoyed, why she always turns the conversation to different direction? "And I am still thankful that you didnt go."

"Why? Its not like you could not solve this case without my help." She stared at him right back, "and also, you didnt answer my question, do you trust me?"

He didnt answer it, but both of them stared at each other, trying to figure out what was going on with the other. He opened his mouth to reply.

"Riya. . I. ."

But damn, his timing sucked, as at the same time Riya's cell buzzed and she put it in her ear, her neck and head keeping the phone in place as she took another sip of coffee. suddenly her whole body froze, and then she groaned inwardly, cutting the call after a while. All these made him curious to no extent, it always used to whatever she does. She pinched her bridge of nose.

"honestly, the timing sucks." She mumbled to herself, audible enough for him to hear. He agreed with her, and frowned.

"Anything serious?"

"Oh." She snapped out of it, shaking her head, "na, nothing."

"You are a rotten liar." He sighed, "Its okay if you dont want to share."

"its nothing, really." she got defensive, "Its just my friend is coming to city, and hoping I can at least give him company, but well, doesnt look like I can, the work. . ."

"Him?" He never ever miss these small things, "Dev?"

"Yeah." She nodded absent mindedly, and then frowned, "how on earth you know?"

"How can i forget him." he said to himself, "He called 100 times that night."

"you are exaggerating." She rolled her eyes. He stared at her for contradicting him.

"I was not. He really did, you didnt check phone later?"

"I did, there were calls, but not that much."

"Close to 100 i bet."

"no."

"Liar."

"I am not!"

They two continued to bicker, but all of a sudden stopped, smiling at each other. Riya kept her empty mug on table, ready to get back to work again.

"Get your bag, I wil dropping you home." He was back to his bossy self and narrowed his eyes at her, as if challenging her to argue with him. She merely sighed, taking her bag.

"yes sir."

Next morning, 11 AM, Mumbai Internation airport.

"Yes yes I am here. Oh honestly you people are useless, yes yes you heard it right, totally useless. Cant even handle a small thing, shame on you! I had to come from Bangalore, leaving my work. . . What the hell are you people doing in this profession tell me, cant even handle petty issues. . ."

Dev was going on and on in his phone as he collected his bag from the airport security checkings, his mood very much foul. He hated domestic airlines as the service just sucks, and to his horror, he had to travel in Air India as all other flights were booked and his favorite, Kingfisher, was on strike. He cursed his fate, then the timing and then his life as he sat in the first class version of Air india which looked economy class of Kingfisher's and also, the biggest tragedy, no nice looking air hostess, none at all! His foul mood continued and he even forgot to pass his sexy smirk as the other ladies in airport checked him out, and when he came out, he found Riya waiting for him, and just vented out.

"I will sue Air India, I mean such bad service. I dont know why the hell the flight was jerking so much, as if it was running on road filled with potholes and not in air. And so much bad food! Bad service, I mean I was in first class and such cheap liquor, are you kidding me? The seats were not even that comfortable. . . you know what? I should sue Vijay Malya and kingfisher, because of them I had to get on Air India. I swear this is the end of my tie with Air India, I will never ever travel with them even if i am in my death bed!"

He hugged Riya as he went on and on and she heard his rants patiently, amused by his talks. He then sighed, feeling relieved to get it off his chest.

"No good looking air hostess?" Riya asked quietly. He pouted, shaking his head slightly, and she started to laugh.

"Its not funny ok?" He exclaimed in fake angry expression, but suddenly stopped talking as he realised someone else was also witnessing them all these time, but he was too busy to see the person properly. Riya stopped laughing and noticed Dev was seeing someone, and looked at that direction.

 "Dev, I want you to meet Arjun Rawte, my colleague." She introduced Arjun and both the men shook hand. Dev gave her a look, then all of a sudden exclaimed "Ohhh!!!! AR!!!! A R !!!!"

Arjun looked at him if he is some lunatic, and Riya looked embarrassed, but then snapped out of it.

"Arjun, he is Dev. My friend." She introduced and he nodded, finally meeting the 100 times calling person. They continued to shake hands, Arjun was thinking what a weird person this was, but for some secret reason Dev was amused.

"Pleased to meet you." He enthusiastically shook his hand for 2-3 times and then left it. Arjun was glad to get his hand back, and gave a look to Riya, to which she flushed. She cleared her throat, getting the men's attention.

"Shall we leave?"

"Of course." Dev answered and then headed for the exit, other two following him. Arjun whispered near Riya's ear.

"You said he never came to Mumbai and now, he is walking toward exit as if he know this place so well."

"Too much into solving mysteries?" She gave him a exasperated look, to which he huffed in annoyance. They went toward the place where the ETF SUV was parked and settled inside, driving away from airport.

Today morning, when Riya was having a tough time to get a taxi for airport, like a god gift Rawte appeared and offered her lift for airport. The airport road is always long on traffics so its a kind of nightmare for drivers, but he was patient enough not to curse the traffic and managed to actually get inside before the flight arrived. She thanked him and expected him to leave, but was surprised to find he didnt move even when she got out of SUV.

"How are you planning to get back?" he counter questioned as she asked why he is not leaving, offering to stay back so that they can get back into city. He himself was curious to meet this Dev person, he didnt know why he was, and deep inside he knew it was not because of that 100 times calling thing, maybe because he wanted to see her friend from her home town, curious to see if this friend in any way turns out similar like he himself or Rathore used to be in academy days. It was weird, but he was curious, and curiosity is a bitch.

Right now, he was sure that this Dev guy is no way similar to himself or Rathore, as he continued to sit behind and chatter, ocassionally asking questions which have no head or tails. He was now curious that how this guy ended up being her friend, who is so quiet and reserve person. These two have no similairty, and they say we become friends whom are similar to us. what a joke!

Dev's eyes continued to run from Riya's face to this stranger's face. he found it fascinating that she introduced him as a colleague but this colleague had made a place in her last therapy session. Is it because of these two's similar past or there was something else, he didnt know, but that she was not telling him everything was very interesting to him.

"Mr Rawte, Thanks for this lift." he started, and earned a eye brown from Riya who never heard him talking to someone this formally.

"No problem, Mr Dev." Rawte replied, keeping his eyes on road. Dev continued to stare at these two, before dropping the bomb.

"Are you two dating?"

She coughed at his question, horrified and stunned at his bad guessing. Rawte snapped his neck so fast and pressed the break. Dev looked more amused at the reactions.

"No way!" They two yelled at once.

"No. we are not." Rawte replied, much more composed.

"Not a chance." Riya finally recovered and answered in much more civilized way.

None of them even dared to ask why dev assumed something like this, the situation too embarrassing for them to handle. Arjun again started SUV and stopped when they reached Riya's quarter, none talking anything else in the whole journey. He was shocked to see even Dev going out.

"Why are you getting out?" He asked. Dev stared at him in serious way.

"Because we are going to live together."

his serious voice made it sound so bad that Rawte looked stunned. Riya glared at Dev and nudged him.

"Ow!" he complained, and then laughed, "Sorry sorry, was just kidding. I will go hotel later, was thinking to hang out with Ri before I hit the hotel."

Ri? Arjun raised his eye brow but didnt say anything. Dev took out his luggage and waved at him enthusiastically, and he drove away, feeling for some reason weird.

"You made a record to make me embarrassed I swear! " Riya complained as she cut vegetables to make lunch, as Dev sat on the kitchen counter near her, eating Lays from a packet.

"What I do?" he complained and threw away the packet as the chips had ended. Riya shot him a look, then picked it up and dropped it inside the dustbin.

"How on earth you even thought I am dating. . him?" She exclaimed, one hand which was holding knife dangerously near him. he raised his both hands in a hands up way.

"Well blame it on my bad experience on air." He mumbled, and she glared, then dropped it and got back to cutting veggies. Now his attention went on the poor veggies and he picked up several pieces of carrot, eating them one by one.

"But seriously. . . how...?" She again started, and he huffed in annoyance.

"well, you introduced him as colleague but your so called colleague" He air quoted the word, "made it all the way to bangalore during your therapy session. You look quite comfortable for colleague, I mean how many months passed since you are here?"

"2?" She mumbled to herself. He shrugged.

"Also, there was something between two, I thoughts its love."

"oh shut up." She scolded him, embarrassed by his talks. He rolled his eyes.

"I can apologize to him if you want."

"no need."

the two friends stayed in silence, only the sound of chopping veggies audible. Riya started talking again.

"What is up with your patient?"

"Oh dont even remind me about that." Dev looked irritated, "i cant believe i have to come all the way here to solve a petty issue. I mean, why cant others solve the issue? So much loss of time, not to forget my absolutely horrendous flight experience."

She patted his back to console him. he snapped out of it, again back to eat carrots, and she stared at him. if he continue there wont be any single carrot piece left for dish. She shook her head at his antics, suddenly sighing.

"he was my friend in academy."

Dev stopped chewing and looked at her, his eyes were surprised but with a winning smile, like he knew it since the start.

"was?"

"Not sure about the current status." She sighed, and like she started this topic, she dropped it too, suddenly, as she started her preparations to cook.

when these two were busy in Riya's house, miles away in ETF office, it was on fire as some annonymus tip by NIB to them, that their catch, Monu, is hiding in some chawl in west mumbai. The team was constantly with touch with NIB peeps, and prepared themselves for a intense encounter scene.

it was nearly afternoon when the team headed for their respective SUVs as it was action time. Aisha before getting inside SUV along with her bosses, when she paused and asked something.

"Should not we inform Riya about this?"

The two bosses gave each other look, and then Rathore replied, "We will. But after the work is done."

"but. ." Aisha was about to reply, when Rawte cut her off.

"She is on leave, Aisha, now get inside the SUV, we are getting late."

They three sat inside and headed for the chawl in west mumbai, while Shree giving them direction which he got from his laptop. Some 35 minutes later, the SUV stopped some metres away from chawl and they met NIB peeps and local police there.

They went through the plan one more time, making each of them understand from where to enter and where to head. According to source, Monu was in this chawl but in which room or house, they had no idea about it. They again show everyone the picture of his, and there were strict order that casualities on both sides should be minimal and they have to get this man alive, without any life threatening injury on his body.

"Ok team." The NIB chief gave everyone look as they took deep breath, the moment had arrived now, "Good luck."

They gave each other nod, and headed for the chawl to hunt down Monu. There were three exits, ETF took one, NIB took one and local police took the last one, and slowly started to get inside. The innocent residents of chawl were horrified to see police with arms and ran toward their room, locking them inside, but they were not even spared. The officers visited each room and checked for Monu, harshly interrogating if they have ever seen this person in this chawl. Some of them were able to recognize him, and pointed toward a room in the middle of chawl, saying this man is the latest tenant in there.

ETF, on the other hand, found themselves in a shadowy lane while chasing a guy who escaped when they showed him the picture of Monu. They were sure that he knew something about Monu, and when NIB chief talked to Rathore through bluetooth that Monu is in a single room in middle of chawl. He along with Rawte headed for the room, letting Aisha and chotu handle the other guy.

The two gave each other a nod before Rawte kicking open the door of the room and entering inside, pointing a gun and looking here and there. They noticed the back door was open and a guy was running outside. They cursed and then ran behind him, after some more minutes of cat and mouse chasing game they were able to get him, as Rathore shot in his leg and Monu fell on ground, crying out in pain.

"Enough of your hiding and running." Rawte put his gun in his mouth as Monu stared at him, wide eyed, "You are under arrest."

"So, you are here for how many days?" Riya asked Dev as they both sat in the comfortable stools of a costly bar, sipping their drinks. Dev gave her a wicked smile.

"Why? already bored by my presence?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, to which he chuckled, and frowned the next moment.

"Dont know. All depends on my darling patient." His face momentarily hardened, to which she frowned. this patient must be really giving him bad time, as it was nearly impossible to make his all time happy mood bad and vanish his smile.

"We should hang out after your work is done. Remember those street foods?" She tried to lighten up the mood, which worked, as his face also lit up hearing the mention of street food.

"Oh yes! I did all research in Internet and made a looong list of the places we have to visit." He stressed the word long to which she nodded, smiling, "But wait, will you be able to get leave? I mean you must have tons of work."

"I will manage." She said confidently, "I have all time for you in world."

"Thats what I am talking about." He raised his glass for a toast, and both their glasses clicked in air. They took sips, when Riya asked where he is staying.

"As you kicked me out of your house." He faked a sad sigh to which she narrowed her eyes, "I am going to stay in some hotel. . . I had the address right here. . ." he searched for his phone in jeans pocket, but at the same time Riya's cell buzzed. She picked it up without even looking at the caller ID, and was surprised hearing Rathore's voice on the other side.

"We got Monu." he said instead of saying Hello. Her eyes were slightly unfocused, but then her every cell was active with the excitement.

"I am coming right now." She cut the call and looked at Dev, who pouted as he realised she have to go.

"Its urgent." She took her jacket and get down from stool, giving him an apologetic look, "I will make it up later, I promise."

She started to wear her jacket, and thrashed her room's key in his palm, "Have this, your luggage is in my house so. . . will you come with me or going to stay here?"

"I will stay here for a while." he replied, looking around and giving that mischievous smile and she shook her head, amused. She gave him a side hug and then walked out of bar, in a hurry.

Dev sighed as she left, but snapped out of it as he noticed a girl giving him look. He smirked that flirtitous smile, but then every eye at the bar turned toward the big LCD screen as there was a breaking news.

"Collab between NIB and ETF bore fruits, the right hand man of Sikandar, Monu, is under arrest"

ETF interrogation room, 8 in evening

Chotu threw a bucket full of cold icy water at Monu's face and he jerked from the impact, his eyes blinking confusingly but then slowly adjusted, the earlier confusion vanished and cold hatred took its place. he was shot in leg, but there was no sign of pain in his face. He stared calmly around the room, his eyes lingering slowly on Chotu, his assaulter, Rawte the man who shot him, Rathore who was standing some feets away from him, Aisha and Shree who were standing outside room over the glass wall and in the end, Riya, who was leaning against the door and looking at him intently. For some reason, she caught his interest and he continued to stare right back at her.

"We all know there is no way out, and we all know this that you are not going to say anything, too." Rathore started talking, "Still, I am giving you choice, either you start talking, or bear the torture in ETF style. Trust me, its painful."

Monu's eyes shifted from Riya's face to rathore, still in no mood of talking. Chotu slapped him hard across face, and his jaw hardened as he took the impact, blood slowly coming out of his mouth.

"You will all pay for this." he at last spoke in a threatening manner. Everyone glared at this, and Rawte opened his mouth to retort back.

"You are thinking your boss will come to rescue you, eh? But you are forgetting this, you are of no use now. You die, or live, your boss wont give a damn about that."

"You have no idea how our boss works." Monu was adamant.

"He is already expecting you to spill the beans. I think he is even thinking to kill you in lock up, much like Rafik, remember?" Rathore bored holes in his face. Monu looked momentarily tensed, but then he was back to his trusting my boss mode.

"he wont. I am his most trusted man."

The next couple of minutes, everyone of them tried to make him talk, but Monu refused to open his mouth. Chotu got many chance to test his hand on him, but even his punches or slaps were not of any use. The ETF team decided to give it a rest, but while they were exiting the room, Monu spoke in high clear voice, his eyes staring again to Riya and this time, the intensity was much more than last time.

"He is here."

Rawte's neck snapped so fast at him, and for a moment everyone expected him to lunge at Monu, but he just stood there, paralyzed hearing that. None spoke anything, but Riya, who was quiet all these time, replied back.

"Is he? Then he should be very careful."

"You dont even know him." Monu smirked through his blood coated face.

"He will come to us." Riya spoke wioth absolute confidence, and that scared Monu a little. He just continued to stare back, as ETF team exited the room, leaving him alone in the room.

He is here.

these words continued to echo in rawte's ear as he sat in the discussion room in ETF, twirling his pen in his fingers. Besides him, the other team mates were talking excitedly about Monu and what he said just now.

"You think he is really here? Like Monu said?" Aisha asked to none particular, to which everyone's breath stopped. the person after whom they all are working day and night, that he is in the same city like them, this feeling is scary and breathtaking indeed.

"I am not sure if he is right, but we all can hope Sikandar will soon come to Mumbai." Rathore spoke, and everyone looked shocked hearing this, but then determination took its place.

"But sir, like Arjun sir said, Monu is of no use now, why he will come here for him?" Shree asked, looking at Rathore.

"Because. . " The answer came from Arjun, who finally snapped out of it and now was staring intently at his team mate, "Sikandar loves to clear mess. Rafik was the biggest example. . he didnt spare a petty gang member, and this is Monu we are talking about, his right hand man. He know initially Monu wont open his mouth, but he just cant hang on to it, can he? he have to clean this mess, either he will kill Monu himself, or try to rescue him." His eyes tighten while speaking.

"media is already on roll with this news. There is no way he can miss this." Chotu said and everyone nodded.

"Exactly. He will surely try something, and we only need one chance to nab him." Rathore replied.

After some time ETF tea minus Riya and Rawte left office to attend a press conference. Rawte continued to twirl his pen, still sitting in the same position, he didnt even realise when Riya left room and then again come back some time later and kept a plate with two sandwiches for him.

"eat." She said softly as she settled down, wanted to have a chit chat. She missed a big opportunity tonight and wanted to have every detail about the operation from him. He looked at the sandwich, straightening himself and kept the pen in the table.

"I was. . . hungry." he frowned as he realised how hungry he was, and picked up a sandwich, biting into it, "Thanks."

"thought so." She shrugged, her face showing no emotion but inside she was pleased to see him eat, "After all the action today. . ."

"You missed it." He said, picking up speed as he finished almost half the sandwich. she nodded.

"You could have informed me."

"No. You were on much deserved break. ." He trailed off, chewing and feeling content with the feeling of food against his tongue. She looked surprised that he even thought about her, but not letting the feeling get into her head, she snapped out of it.

"Tell me everything about it." She came straight to point and he started explaning, about the tip, about all the planning they did with NIB, the actions in chawl and at last, catching Monu while he was about to escape. Riya handed him over a tissue as he finished, and he rise his eye brows, exasperate at her hygiene freakiness, but nevertheless took it.

"Sounds like fun." She sighed, feeling thankful that none of them were hurt.

"it was." he agreed, "But I assume when we were running through bullets, you were busy in some. . . bar, having a drink with your friend?"

She flushed, but quickly composed herself, "you didnt inform me."

"i am not accusing you." he shrugged, staring at her momentarily, "are not you going to ask me about the bar guess?"

"no." She replied, narrowing her eyes right back to him, "You guessed it from my jacket, which is informal dressing to come in office. You must have smelt the liquor I was drinking, and I dont keep liquor in house, so. . "

His lips twitched in amusement. yes he guessed all these, and she was bang on about it.

"Do you still have those pills?" he asked out of nowhere, and she stared at him confused.

"Huh?"

"Your pills." He explained. She frowned at his odd question, how fast he shuffle from one subject to another, but then shook her head, "I didnt get time to buy new ones."

"dont have those." he said seriously. She scoffed.

"You are sounding just like the doctor. I am assuimg you dont need them too?" She stared at him suspiciously, to which he scoffed too.

"i dont need THOSE to survive." He made a disgusted face. She nodded, sighing.

"i know you dont."

they continued to sit in silence, after ages it was comforting and not suffocating. A thought suddenly crossed her mind as she thought about the interrogation of Monu and how his eyes were on her in the last minutes.

"You think he is here, in this city?"

He stopped breathing, his whole body tightening at the question, "I am sure he is."

She gave him a intense look.

"I can feel him." He stared into nothing, preparing himself for the upcoming battle. He can feel he is close to him.