Chapter 9

4 years ago

Dass dungi

@Phir_Mohabbat

NIB interrogation room, next day

"None coming to get you." Mocked Aisha while walking around Monu who was sitting on a chair, "Tch tch tch, such a pity. Looks like boss forgot about you, eh?"

"Maybe. . ." rathore picked up, giving her a look, "Boss now decided he is better off his right hand man, or maybe, he got a new one!"

"Possible." Rawte now jumped in, his eyes never leaving Monu, "now this right hand man is in custody, and he is spilling all beans. . ."

"I didnt spill any!" Monu yelled, and everyone stopped talking, staring at him hard. Riya walked near him, leaning in front of him.

"Yes, but he dont know it, does he?" she said like some warning, to which he looked visibly depressed.

"He even didnt come to rescue you, he must be planning to finish you off." Rathore spoke.

"So giving you the circumstances. . . " NIB chief said at last, his voice picking up, "What is the point to stay loyal to the man who is ultimately going to kill you?"

Monu stayed silent, but looks like he was slowly losing it. He can see none is coming for him, and in either way, he is going to die.

"Dont you want to take revenge on him?" Shree asked him, "He ditched you! You dont even think that, hey, i am going to sink but i will take you down with me?"

"Na Shree," Rawte spoke again, "he is a loyal dog, who only know to say yes sir and no sir, obedient to master and doing everything he says."

"What is the point of staying obedient now?" NIB chief replied, "Look where it had gotten him into." He stared around, making a sad face, then glaring at him.

"Look." Riya now dragged a stool and sat right infront of him, "we need something. his hiding place, his face, anything. You give, and we assure your safety. you wont die, but you know how many years it takes in indian courts. if you are lucky enough, you can get spared for your lifetime."

"He wont leave me alive." Monu emphasised each word. Rawte came forward and pulled his hair, making him crying out loud in pain.

"You know the similarity between your boss and us? we both dont give a damn about small fishes like you. but you know the brighter side? we can at least assure you you wont be dead, possibility is .1 % there, but with your boss, there is no percentage of living. so, you choose."  he hissed near his face.

Monu stayed silent, and everyone gave each other look, in mind hoping that at least now, this man will break, or else they will break and in frustration, they will break him.

 "Think about it. something, or nothing, its your choice. but let me tell you something. . ." Riya spoke finally, standing on her feet, "it took us 2 years to know he exist, it will take us maybe another 2 years to get to him, but we will get him."

Her determined voice made him stare at her with wide eyes. everyone left the room, leaving him to ponder on their words.

They left NIB and headed for ETF, during the drive the topic was, of course, Monu.

"He should break by now." Aisha hoped, "I mean, his all hopes are shattered. We at least gave him something."

"I think he will tell us something. Soon. " Rawte said.

"But when? we are behind him all these while. . ." Rathore spoke, irritated, "we are this close and this man, he wont just open his mouth."

"patience, Sameer. . ." Riya spoke, looking outside, "he will open his mouth."

They reached ETF and Shree informed he got some more bank accounts and successfully blocked them all from transacting money. The total money till now they were able to stop from going out were approx 20 crores. The team headed for discussion room, Riya stayed behind, as her eyes linger over the documents which were on Shree's desk. it were all the details of bank accounts, fake addresses, fake IDs and statement of past transactions. she snapped out of it as his team mate called her, heading for the discussion room.

after the discussion, she found herself again, alone with the eccentric second in command, who was, co incidentally, her ex friend. from some couple of days she often found herself alone with him, and it was. . . weird. He nodded at her as she sipped her coffee, to which at first she nodded back, and then chuckled.

"what?" he asked confused.

"You." She replied, shaking her head, that smile suddenly looking like she is mocking him. he still didnt get her.

"What about me?"

"Your face. you are pitying me, are not you? hearing my sad little story. . . " she shook her head, "trust me, I got enough person for a lifetime to pity me."

"I am not." He answered a bit too loudly to emphasise, "And i know too what it feels like when people look at you with sorry feeling."

"and yet, you are doing the same thing to me." she looked straight into his eyes, and he lost it. she was right, he felt guilty, and somewhat sorry for her after knowing everything last night. he sighed, and she smiled again, sadly.

"Will you answer something? truthfully?" she asked, to which he nodded.

"did you ever get over the guilt?"

he shook his head slowly, "never." and then looked at her, after a pause and asked, "you didnt too, did you?"

"you bet." she replied, staring into nothing, her eyes slightly out of focus, "and yet, Dev tells I should get over the guilt. it was not my fault."

"dev?" he asked, confused, from where that person entered into this conversation?

"He is my therapist." she replied, to which he looked surprised.

"you never told about that."

"his job description never came up." she shrugged.

"i didnt know doctor can establish relation with their patients." he asked again, suddenly feeling curious. she smiled.

"he was never such a man who can follow rules. my only. . . friend." she replied, to which he raised his eye brows. she never spoke about anyone in that way, he must be really close to her.

"so you kicked me and Rathore out of your list." he murmured quietly. she snapped her neck toward him, her eyes first surprised and then she stared at him, calmly.

"are you?"

"am what?" he asked, though he knew what she was talking about.

"my friend, are you?" she asked again, her face neither showing hope or excitement, she just asked him a mere question. he stared back for a while, and then looked away.

"only if you want me to be.''

in reply, her eyes didnt leave his face for full 5 minutes, until someone interrupted them.

In evening, when Arjun was dropping Riya home like many times he did, he suddenly remembered he had to get a file from Rathore. they both headed for the latter's house, but she didnt get inside, giving a reason Dev is waiting for her in her house as he is going back tomorrow. Rate nodded to her and ran toward Rathore's house, and he let him enter.

Rathore looked initially surprised, but then nodded and went inside to get the much desired file. Rawte looked around the house, he was not new to come here but yet, he could not stop admiring the interior. His eyes suddenly fell on some document which had accidentally dropped on floor near the door and he went toward it, picked it up, and got the biggest shock of his life.

It was his dead wife, Roshni's picture.

The first couple of seconds passed as he was lost in her beautiful smile and peaceful face, but then he snapped out of it, frowning that what the hell her picture is doing in his house?

well, they were friends so it could have been here. . . but here solo picture? it just doesn't make sense.

Rathore came out of his bed room and witnessed the situation in front of him. Rawte meet his eyes and he looked scandalous at this, he was holding her picture which he got in his house. interesting situation, indeed.

"what is her picture doing here?" this was the most obvious question, and yet, Rawte felt rather stupid to ask it. Rathore didnt make a move, neither he opened his mouth.

"I am asking you something, what is her solo picture doing in your house?" he asked once again, and suddenly, his silence made everything crystal clear to him. his silence, his immobiled posture, his scandalous face. Rathore for a moment looked scared, expecting another punch as he felt it too, that he must have sensed this, but shocking both himself and him, Rawte walked out of the house, the picture still on the floor and the file lay forgotten.

Riya frowned as she noticed Rawte rather walking fast toward SUV, and there was no file in his hand. She decided to ask about it, but then dropped the idea as he sat inside it and banged the door shut, a bit too loudly and then started the SUV at the top gear. She jerked back at the impact, and wisely chose to keep quiet. These two must have fight again, she thought to herself and hoped he calm down quickly, they are on serious work and communication gap is the least thing they need right now.

they didnt say anything and then, her home had arrived. She unlocked her seat belt and tried to open the side door, but it was still locked.

"Arjun?'' she called out, but found him staring into nothing, "Open the door, please."

He all of a sudden turned to her, making her scared for a second, his face and body dangerously close to her and he then whispered menacingly near her ear, "Did you know this?"

"i knew what?" she asked breathless, did getting him, and for the first time in many days, his anger and silence made her scared. He inhaled sharply.

"Did you know that Rathore. . ." he paused for a while as if he was having difficulty to speak, "That he harbour feelings for Roshni?"

That was the least thing she expected him to ask her. She gaped at him, stunned, thinking how on earth he know this.

"I found her picture in his house, and he looked quite scandalous when i asked about it. I suspect. . . no, I strongly believe he have feelings for her, I am asking you, did you know this?" he asked one more time, his eyes boring hole into her.

"Does it matter?'' she asked quietly.

"sure as hell it does." He raised his voice.

"And why so? you loved her and she loved you, end of story." she counter argued.

"I just want to know if you knew about this, or not." he suddenly lowered his voice. she could not look away, neither she could answer, and her silence said it all.

"Amazing." he whispered, sarcastically, "one friend have feelings for my wife, other knew about it and yet, didnt inform me about that."

"What you expect me to do?" she answered back in surprised tone, "go to you and say that your best friend love your wife? like really?"

"I feel betrayed." he ran his fingers in hair, and then banged his fist on head board, making her jump, " God dammit!"

she stared at him as he tried to control his temper, running his fingers through his hair like he most of the time do. she felt her inside is turning into something cold, hard, but she could not pin point at the feeling. Was she hurt that he yelled at her? Was she wanted to tell him anything? She didnt know, she was absolutely numb.

He sensed her staring at him and exhaled loudly, which was followed by a loud, "What!"

She shook her head, and one more time tried to open the door. He cursed under his breath and unlocked the door and making her jump for the second time, the door opened all by it self automatically. She stared at the door for a while, taking this action as his unspoken "Get out", and then came out of the SUV, walking toward her room. He was so angry that he didnt even bid her good night, and drove past her in too much speed.

As she unlocked the main door of her quarter in dazed state, a voice inside her pointed out that she was expecting Dev to open the door for her, as he had her keys and he was supposed to wait for her. She shrugged, thinking maybe he is stuck in somewhere and get inside, closing the door behind her with no sound at all.

She made herself a coffee and then, out of nowhere, took out all the files of the current case she had in her possession and started to turn over the pages, her mind miles away from the reality yet, she tried to find a way to distract herself. She didnt even want to see why she is so quiet all of a sudden, or why something inside her in hurting that much, she never liked to do autopsy of her feelings, so like every time, she let it pass and tried to channelise all her focus into something else, but tonight, it was just not working. the harder she resisted, the faster her mind started to drift back into the memories of academy, the place where she had made the best of memories and had the time of life.

She knew since the day Roshni entered their life, she had captured Sameer's attention. that guy never spoke aloud about his feelings, neither he showed it, unlike Arjun who since the first day went ga ga over her. Initially, she felt his feelings were not that much strong and it was just another of his short time flings, but with time passed, she realised the feelings on both sides were on fire for one particular girl. As its love where one heart wins and another lose, in their story, Sameer lost and Arjun win. . . but now as she sees it, they both had lost, both the person and the love itself. The entry of Roshni in their lives, it changed everything, including her. She found her friends, the ones who were close to her heart, slipping away and there was nothing she could do, so she did what most of the wise person would have done, she didnt hold onto them but she herself distanced herself from their lives. Of course, what she did later, she was totally out of their lives.

She had no idea that her Best friend's feelings will come like this, after all these years, in middle of chaos and this sudden. She never quite give a thought how Arjun will react if he ever came to know about it, but what she saw today, she wont be surprised if there is another punching match in ETF tomorrow. She pulled her hair to vent out her frustration, in her mind thinking if situation actually turn out this bad, she will be on Sameer's side, no matter what Arjun thinks about this. Loving someone is not a crime, and he didnt go behind her to steal her from him, right?

She snapped out of it as the door bell rang and sighed, that must be Dev. Sure enough, when she opened the door he was there, but there was no flirtitious smile on his lips neither he stared at her in wicked way. He was too serious, he nodded a little as he entered, and then handed her over some packets of food he brought from outside. She frowned at his odd behavior and about to ask something, when he loudly announced he wants to have dinner as he is hungry like hell.

"Sure." She mumbled and went toward kitchen, starting to plate it. She mentally made a note to talk to him about it. About some 10 minutes later she came out with food, and found him reading the case files, he was till standing.

"here, I brought food." She said as she kept the plates on dining table, but he didnt move. She frowned, and then moved to him as the files were confidential and she didnt want him to see those, not that she didnt trust him, but she just didnt want him to go through the files.

"Dev?" She called out one more time, but still no reply. She frowned yet again as he slowly kept the file back on table, his back still facing her.

"So, you are working on the Sikandar's case?" His voice sounded perfectly normal, to which she sighed in relief inwardly.

"Watching news now a days?" she smiled a little, and he chuckled, nodding.

"yep. now come fast food getting cold." She turned, but didnt leave as his words hold her at right place.

"I was going through the files. . . so he has a tattoo?" He asked once again. her face momentarily hardened, not wanting to drag this conversation.

"Apaprently yes. Now, if you want to talk about case, then have food first, alright?" she took some steps toward dining table, but then he spoke again.

"You remember even I have a tattoo? On my neck?"

She felt her heart beat stopped right there and all air left her lungs. His words echoed in her ears, and suddenly, it didnt sound that normal at all, but cold, controlled and distant.

"And surprisingly," His voice was light and careful, "the design of tattoo, its exactly like the one on my neck, is not it amazing?" He was now holding the drawing of tattoo, the very same paper which Rathore took from that security guard's home, who was guarding Rawte' house during that unfortunate night.

Life had come to full circle, from where all these had started, the drawing of tattoo, he was now holding the start, the man itself to whom it belongs. The beginning and the ending, together under same roof, right here right now.

As his words rang in her ear, her mind recollected one of many therapy sessions with him, particularly one time when she had arrived before time and pushed the door of his cabin, and found him removing his doctor's lapcoat. He gave a nice reason for it, that this white boring coat make him look a serious doctor and not some person who is here to make people's life easier. He was adjusting the coller of his shirt, his back facing her much similar to the current situation, when she had noticed the ink in there, a nice tattoo of dragon spitting fire.

Dragon spitting fire. The ultimate clue which leaded them to all these.

How the hell she can miss this? Her mind cursed her, but she, her body and soul, was far away from this earthly place.

She slowly found herself turning around to him, much to the displeasure of the numb part inside her who just wanted to stay like that, rooted to the spot, frozen. Her mouth was still open partly in shock, and her breathing was uneven. Her eyes found its way to his head, which was still facing its back to her, and after some couple of seconds, she ased in breathless whsiper, unsure of her own voice.

"Sik. . . Sikandar?"

He smirked evilly hearing her, and she got the ultimate reply of her question. . . he turned to her in a fraction of second and hit her with something. the impact was so unexpected and big that she fell almost instantly on the floor, with a loud thud noise.

he threw away the thing with which he hit her, his own gun, and lowered himself on floor. His eyes stared at her calmly, and saw tears slowly making its way from one of her eyes and then to floor. It mixed with the blood which was oozing out violently from her head, and her eyelids were slowly closing itself.

"Yes, the one and only." he replied calmly, the playful voice and smirk coming back, but that smirk never looked this much scary ever. her eyes closed finally and his face hardned almost instantly, staring hard at her face. He then stood up, taking out his phone and dialing a number with so much force that his phone might just break.

"Change of plan. We will attack in the morning." he informed to his men and cut the call instantly, not bothered to hear the reply. he turned to her once more, then stepped back, once, twice, thrice, till he hit the sofa and slumped on it, his eyes shining dangerously as he stared at her continuously. He started to whistle, now staring around the room and waited for the night to pass and the sun to rise, so that he can start the final battle.

12 hours later, 9 AM, ETF

It was regular day like every other day, all were inside office and engrossed in their own work. Rawte was as usual busy in his cabin to twirl the pen and staring into nothing, the chai wala was busy to distribute coffee and tea, juniors were busy to talk about something excitedly. . . well all looked fine, only Rathore was missing.

Rawte continued to twirl the pen between his fingers as his mind drifted back into last night's incidence. Oh it was a understatemnt, he never was out of that night. He just could not stop rethinking about the horrified expression on Rathore's face. He still felt betrayed that Riya knew about this, and yet didnt tell him, but then she had a point as well, what he expect, she coming to him and tell? The incident had hit him hard, he never expected one of his close friend to harbour feelings for his dead wife, and he was confused between his feelings, should he be angry, or pity that someone else also feeling the same agony what he was feeling from these years?

Now he can clearly see why he was so against him joining this case, why he was always so loggerheads with him. Rathore was a exact copy of his, just with a little bit of composed exterior and discipline. This case, it was close to him not because Roshni was his friend as well, it was for him a revenge too, to pay her last tributes. he can now clearly see why he kept all that a secret, he did everything what he could do, just for her.

He sighed at his own confused feelings and leaned back on seat, tapping his head on head rest and cursing himself for reacting like that last night. He should apologize to Riya, he thought and groaned, why he is always on the wrong side when it is concerning her?

He snapped out of it when he suddenly heard several gun shots and yellings of the office workers. he stood up and ran outside, taking out his gun, when he saw almost 8 to 10 people, dressed in black like commandos, entering ETF with the guns which was surely, the brothers of those swidish gun they confiscated some days ago in the coast.

So, finally. . . he is here.

"Everyone freeze! Drop your guns and get down on your knees!" one of them shouted and most of the ETFians get down. ETF core team, Aisha- shree chotu looked at Rawte for permission, but he nodded, and they dropped their gun and sat on the floor, their hands behind. Rawte also dropped his gun but he was till standing, wanting to see the man behind whom he was running all these time.

The ETF gasped as they saw some 4 person entering office now, one of them was Rathore, who was being pulled by two of men. They pushed him and made him sit on floor, and now everyone can see the bruises on his face, the blood which was coming out of his arm and mouth. These bas***ds had shot him in the arm.

"You okay sir?" asked the team concerned to Rathore, to which he merely nodded, glaring back to the black members. rawte continued to stare at him, but then he heard the cries of Aisha and Liza and then his eyes snapped toward the new entries, one more time. Then he saw it.

One of them was carrying a person and dropped her on floor gently, who was, unmistakably, Riya. They had dragged her too from her house.

He could not move his eyes from her body, his eyes tried to search frantically for some sign, so that he can sigh in relief that she is alive, but he could not. Her face was covered by her own hair, and she was lying on her front. He started to panic, she should be okay now. . . less injured but okay.

"She is not dead, honestly shut UP!" One of the voice yelled, his voice went from low and bored, to loud and angry. And this voice made Rawte's senses hyperactive.

"Dev?" he asked aloud. The man, who was yelling till now, turned to him, his face covered with a black mask, making it impossible to seperate him from his dress. The guy then came to him, slowly, as if he was taunting him, and the whole ETF looked confused, and then they gasped. . . as the masked man slapped hard Rawte across face and made him drop on his knees by putting gun on his temple.

"i will prefer. . . Sikandar." He whispered to his ear, and then took out his mask. Like he had thought, it was Dev under mask, or, should he call him by the other name now?

"You?" Rawte still could not believe his eyes, nothing made any sense anymore, "You?"

"yeah yeah, its me." Dev, or Sikandar, rolled his eyes and answered in bored tone, "The one and only, the person whom you were chasing all these time like a mad dog."

And then there was another slap. All boredom vanished from Dev's face as his eyes spit venom to rawte, his face looking murderous.

"I mean gosh!" He exclaimed, "Why you were so after me? What exactly i did to get your extra attention? oh wait, let me check. . ." he put his one finger on lip as if he was trying to remember something, "I killed your wife, didnt i? Thats why you are behind me, are not you?"

Rawte glared to him as Dev/ sikandar started to laugh.

"Oh god! Could not you just get another one? That would have been so much easier. . . No." He pointed his gun straight on his temple as Rawte tried to struggle, his every cell in body wanting to rip apart this man right now, "I have a gun, so you dont want to even try to lunge on me, also, you have a team to save, dont you?"

The mad rage lifted from Rawte's face as he looked at his team. they were staring at him right back, scared, yet determined. He tried to control his temper and closed his eyes.

"Good boy." dev complimented, and then stood up on his feet, looking at everyone in ETF, ''Really, media and your bosses made me some killing machine, but trust me, I am not! I really dont like to spill blood, unless. . ." his eyes linger on Riya's lifeless body for a while, "there is a reason."

"I would really like to know the reason behind hurting her." rawte shouted. dev looked at him like he just asked the most dumb question.

"honestly, rawte, where are your brains!" he exclaimed in shocked tone, "your full team, including you, is here and you want her out of here? I mean you think her part of team or not?"

He didnt answer and looked away, disgusted by this man. 

"Ok, carrying on my earlier speech, which was interrupted by your boss. . . i could really kill you for interrupting me, Rawte," Dev continued his speech, his tone too playful for this situation, "I dont want any of you, to get hurt unnecessary. I only want two things, my right hand man, Monu, who is right now residing in NIB, and a plane so that i can get out of this country, safe and sound. These two, tiny miny demands, and I am out of you people's life."

"you people got. . ." he checked his watch, "exactly 15 minutes to decided. after that, i will start shooting one by one after every 1 minutes, starting with your darling chief, Rathore."

everyone gasped at this and then turned to look at their chief, who suddenly become the centre of attention. his face looked hard and devoid of any emotion, his eyes met with Rawte and a silent conversation began between them. meanwhile, dev moved away and looked outside through the curtains, and smiled to himself.

"Good news. Media and your higher authority peeps are here, so, if there is any matter like talking to your seniors, go for it." He spoke, now dragging a chair and sitting on it, "you got all permission from my side."

At the same time, outside ETF

"we are showing you live, the breaking news of the moment, Emergency task force Head quarters has been hijacked by some unknwon people. Till now no contact happened from inside and no demands has been made. we dont know if there is any casualities, but we will continue to bring you live footage of the situation. . ."

The media did their job, like they always do, and besides them Police stared at the office building helplessly and waited for the orders from DIG dixit, who stood there paralyzed, unable to make any decision. The NIB chief, who had just appeard on the spot, had plenty to say about all this.

"I am sure its Him, and he will surely demand for his right hand man. Sir, i want your orders to shift Monu right now from NIB to a safe place, we cant take any risk."

"If he had made any demands, and that includes Monu. . ." DIG found its voice and turned to him, "you expect me to risk the lives of an entire department to save one man?"

"sir, with due respect, that one man holds the key to finish this off."

"You expect me to risk the lives of an entire department?" he repeated, to which NIB chief looked away, annoyed.

"I understand that inside, there are 3 ex students of yours but still. . ." his words died inside as Raghu sir glared at him, cold and hard.

"How dare you to make an assumption like that? For your information, there are 120 people in building besides my students, now answer my question, you expect me to risk their lives as well?"

"Lets. . . lets wait till their demands come out." NIB chief gave up and walked away, checking the security at the premises.

Inside ETF

Dev turned his gun upside down, like he is checking it out, making faces, and then suddenly, he shot in the direction where Rathore was sitting.

"Just practicing." His hands hung in air as he made an apologetic face, then smirked wickedly, to which everyone glared to him.

Rathore and Rawte's silent conversation carried on, as their core team continued to look at their bosses. Dev checked his watch once more, and then stood up.

"Your 15 minutes are over." he walked toward rathore and about to hold his coller, when rawte shouted, making him stop effectively.

"We want to talk to DIG sir."

"Very wise, Rawte." Dev winked, and then pulled Rathore's coller and made him stood up. some other 2 men did the same to rawte and now they all were standing near the land line phone. Rawte gave a look to Rathore and then pressed Raghu sir's number, closing his eyes and taking deep breath.

"This is DIG Raghu Dixit speaking." His voice sounded calm and composed. Rawte started the conversation, cutting short the how are yous and if anyone is hurt questions.

"its him." Rawte confirmed the worst suspicions, "He wants a plane to get out india and Monu."

"I need time to decide all this." Raghu sir answered in a hurry, but before Rawte can answer, Dev snatched the phone from him.

"really? time? Are you kidding me?" he asked in his playful tone and Raghu sir's breathing stopped, not believing it was the sound of devil he was hearing, "tell me how much time you took to order raids and arrests for my gang members? One minutes? 10 seconds?"

"For dogs like you, i dont even give it a think." Raghu sir said in a venomous tone. Dev gave a wicked smirk to that, his eyes showing anger.

"But now, you have to think and that too, faster." he whispered the last part and then pulled his gun to Rathore's temple, "you see old man? I dont have much time. . . wait, let me rephrase that, your dear officer rathore dont have much time. there is a gun on his temple and it will shoot bullet without any problem to after. . . 60 seconds. now think."

Raghu sir gave a look to NIB chief, who was not in favour to hand over Monu. raghu sir covered the speaker by his palm, and then spoke to him some well chosen words.

"Just trust me."

"I am ready to fulfill all demands, but, i dont want any single scratch on my officers." raghu sir replied, to which Dev removed his gun from Rathore's temple, letting the ETFians breath again.

"For your kind information, you are not in a position to negotiate, but still, i agree to that. I want Monu in airport in next 50 minutes, because i know, traffic is bad in that road." His eyes linger to Rawte as he mocked him, to which he glared, "I am heading toward that place, do i have to remind you i want no police, dress or without dress, torturing my eyes in there? and i want plane ready, and my man too, faster!"

and he cut the call. He smirked looking at Rathore, and then tried to give him a side hug.

"You honestly thought i am going to kill you? that is why you making that constipated look?" he laughed, removing Rathore who looked as if he will like nothing but to tear his head off, "You are my ticket to leave this country, and you thought i am going to kill you? I may have killed rawte, but you? na, not a chance."

"ok guys!" He then turned to his men, "Buckle up! some of you staying here until the next course of action, rest, come with me."

After several minutes, they left ETF premises toward airport.

10 minutes later, ETF

"Sik. . . Sikandar?"

"Yes, the one and only."

Riya opened her eyes as the words echoed her ear, and instantly regretted. This was no nightmare, her head was bursting with pain and she cant open her eyes, she can feel the cold marbel floor beneath her whereas she should have been in her bed. This was all happening, this was all real.

"Riya? Shree Chotu. . . she is awake!"

Her head hurt even more as she felt several people calling out her name, right now, she will like nothing but to lie down like that till her eyes close again, or world just ends. The betrayal hit her pretty hard, both in head and heart.

"Open your eyes, Riya!" God, Aisha's voice never sounded this much irritating. with no will power of her own, she finally opened her eyes, and found her team amtes staring at her. the low light hurt her eyes and she tried to adjust herself, and then she saw it.

She was in ETF, and there were several people dressed in black who was pacing up and down in here.

So they held them hostage?

Her eyes widened at the realisation and she tried to sit back, instantly, but her head hurt even more and she clutched it tight, trying to absorb the pain by taking fast breathes. After several moments the pain was anything but bearable, so she decided to shut up that part and focus on the current situation.

"thank god you are awake. are you okay?" Liza asked with concern in her eyes, and Riya noticed suddnely everyone's eyes were on her. she nodded meekly, and then asked in hushed tone, "whats going on here?"

"Sikandar." Shree spoke, "he held us hostage and took Rathore sir and Arjun sir with him toward airport, he is leaving the country in next 40 minutes."

her eyes widen as she slowly processed the information, and with that some calculations too. . if he is leaving in 40 minutes, then he surely is not planning to leave her two best friends alive, right? they got another 40 minutes to live.

"These people, they had planted bomb around ETF." Chotu spoke finally, looking both scared and angry, "he will ensure we all are dead."

"i am not planning on dying right now." Riya mumbled to herself, quietly, to which her team mates smiled little, "i still have to live my misrable life a bit longer."

 She looked around, and found guards who were pacing up and down in the room. there were 7 of them, and one of them are holding a trigger kind of thing.

"That 4th guy. . that thing he is holding, is that the trigger of bombs?" she asked to them.Aisha nodded in reply.

"Listen to me. . ." She whispered to her team something and then they all nodded. Riya then looked toward the men one more time, and cleared her throat.

"Please, I need to go to washroom." she pleaded.

"in some time you will go to heaven, whats the point of going to washroom now?" one of the men jokes to which others laugh. Riya glared at him.

"please, i am requesting you. . . please please please. . ." She pleaded. The man gave a look to each other and then nodded. One of them came to her and made her stand on feet, and then walked toward the washroom's direction. before they can leave the room, she kicked hard in his. . . lower part and he cried out in pain, in the mean time she snatched his gun and threw him toward wall, making him fell on floor.

"Whats going on there!" the other man looked toward the commotion, but before they could do anything, Chotu jumped on them and tackled 2 of them at once. Aisha handled the 3rd, and the rest of ETF workers they handled the rest of gang man. They tried their hands, legs, paper weight, anything they can get and hit the men with those stuffs, thus making them disarm. in the mean time Shree got the trigger and pressed the button, making the bomb deactivate.

The ETF team rejoiced as the danger passed from their heads. As medics and police made their way inside ETF, Riya ran past them to the downstairs, heading for airport. Raghu sir saw her and about to approach her, but she had already took off. He then called her cell, and as she drove, she put the phone on speaker.

"Riya?"

"i am heading for airport sir." she answered in a hurry, "are they still there?"

"yes, Monu is going to reach in 15 minutes, and then they will take off." He asnwered in venomous tone, "The police is all over the place, but as two ETF officers are with them, they are not taking any risk."

She closed her eyes and cursed, "we cant let them go. after all these time. . ."

"we wont. I am also heading for airport, we will find a way, just hang in there." Raghu sir cut the call and Riya picked up speed, throwing away the bluetooth. she drove toward the airport with the speed of F1 racer, breaking every signal and nearly getting saved from hitting other vehicles one or two time, cursing the traffic as she continued to pick up speed, from a mere 80 km to 180 in a SUV. she sighed in relief as she saw the airport and guards surrounding it, and ran toward it as soon as she stopped it, without even bothering it to park properly. the guards stopped her from going inside and she glared them with such an intensity, that could literally turn them into ashes. thankfully, Raghu sir reached almost at the same time and interrupted them, and she found herself standing there with impatience as he started to explain the next plan before entering.

Meanwhile, inside the airport

The terminal number 5, which is mostly kept for vvip people and their private planes, was today kept free for Dev alias Sikandar, and because of this he looked pleased. He admired the interior with impressive looks, occasionally checking the watch as the time of Monu's arrival was near. Some distance away, his few men kept Rathore-Rawte duo kneeled down on the floor, and they didn't look pleased with it.

The terminal echoed with footsteps and everyone turned. Dev's face light up like Christmas was early, and Monu finally arrived, his hand tied with handcuff. He gave a relieved smile to his boss, and then glared at RR duo, his look something like see? My boss didn't ditch me'.

"That will be all, officers." Dev gave a sugery smile to the police officers who have come to escort Monu. They didn't lower their guns, but then slowly took steps back and soon, vanished from the sight. He then turned to his right hand man, gave him a sweet smile much like earlier, but all of a sudden that smile vanished, his face turned cold-hard and then he took out the gun and pointed straight in Monu's chest.

He looked horrified at the action, "Boss?"

"what?" Dev gave him a DUH look, "you honestly cant think I will spare you, did you? You gave them all infos."

"I didn't!" he protested, to which he rolled his eyes.

"Does it matter? You get yourself caught, and that is the end of everything."

"I was. . . am your most loyal servant." Monu tried for the last time. Dev sighed sadly.

"I know. . . and I will really miss you."

Soon enough, he shot him 4 times in the chest and Monu fell on floor with a sound, his eyes still open in shock. RR duo looked satisfied with the act, and Dev stared at the body for a while, and then turned.

"Buckle up! We are soon leaving."

"What about them?" Asked one of the men, pointing to RR duo. Dev turned to them, that playful smile coming back.

"Hmm. . . let me think." He kept his finger on chin, keeping on his thinking cap.

Outside airport

"Sir, there are 12 person inside, excluding Sikandar and ETF officers." As soon as the officers were out of airport, they gave all infos to the police standing outside, and all listened to them intently.

"4 men with ETF officers is standing on the south east corner," The man who was explaining, pointed at the map of airport terminal, "Sikandar is near the exit area, rests are standing here and there, pacing upside down."

"We should head from this section." NIB chief pointed at the 2nd entrance, the north side, "We will get advantage."

Everyone agreed to it. Raghu sir then pushed away the map and stared at everyone, hard.

"Listen all of you. Inside there are 2 officers who are precious, rest are unimportant and, I don't care if they are dead. Sikandar is flewing, that's only mean his time here in our country is over. He is trying to flee so that he can make another empire somewhere else, which we cant permit. So I want all of you to get inside, and kill all of them, but, there should not be a single scratch on my officers, everyone got me?"

"YES SIR!" everyone yelled, and then put on their bullet proof jackets, adjusted their guns, gave each other look, and headed for North entrance of terminal.

Inside airport

"lets face it officers," Dev lowered himself on the floor so that he is facing the officers, "As we speak, your men outside are planning to kill me and my men. I bring you here, because you are my ticket to get away. So, as I am near to my goal, I want 100 % co operation from you. no cheating, no smart move, or, the next bullet will be in your chests, get it?"

"Do we look like we care?"  Rathore answered harshly, to which he smiled.

"No. But I hope you do care for each other. . . cause if you do some hanky panky, he have to pay, and vice versa. Now, are you two clear?"

They both gave each other a look, and braced themselves for whatever may come in their fate. The men of Sikandar helped them stood up and they all headed for exit, suddenly Rawte's eyes fell on the 2nd entrance, on the north side and he saw several armed men are slowly circling them. His heart beat quickened, and as soon as the police entered inside and started to fire at them, he pulled Rathore with him and both of them fell on floor, protecting their heads with their hands.

The police entered and soon took their position, firing nonstop at the enemy gang. Dev rolled his eyes, his face showing utmost fury at the audacity of the police, but he soon took shelter behind the chairs of terminal and started to fire. His bullets hit several policemen, but to his frustration, doesn't look like today Mumbai police is going to spare him and his men.

RR duo was caught between the gun fire, they tried hard to get to the police side but they could not, one bullet even found Rawte's leg and it was soon bleeding. The police looked on helplessly their officers struggling in middle of firing as they continued to kill the bad guys, unable to do anything about it.

"They are caught between firing." Riya spoke in bluetooth which was connected to NIB chief, "we have to stop so that they can come to our side."

"Are you kidding? We cant. . . they will get away!" NIB chief strongly protested.

"I don't care!" Riya yelled at him through Bluetooth, "Raghu sir said we have to protect ETF officers. Please just for a while, stop the firing."

NIB chief didn't like the idea so he didn't reply and concentrated more on the ongoing firing. Riya cursed, but soon she also joined back in the firing as her bullets just hit 1 man and he fell on floor, blood coming out of his stomach.

It continued some 20 minutes and the firing from police side slowed as most of the bad guys were dead by now. RR duo now tried harder than earlier to reach to the police's side, and seeing the nice opportunity, Dev along with his 2 other men jumped on them and hold them hostage.

"Now, enough of firing." He spoke out loud and effectively, the firing stopped from police side, but the officers kept their position intact as they listened to him, "Let me go, and I will spare your officers. Honestly, don't you have any feelings for your men, haah?"

"Look," NIB chief now stood up, pointing his gun to them, "you are surrounded by all sides, no point of making this more tough. Surrender yourself."

"Over my dead body." Dev rolled his eyes and then pulled Rawte toward him, making him kneel down in front of him, "and I am in no mood to die."

"Drop the gun." This came from Riya, who had finally stood up and was now pointing her gun straight to Dev/ Sikandar, who's eyes widen at this, but then he was smirking.

"You will shoot me?" disbelieve dripped from each alphabets. Riya's hand shook little, but she tried to compose her emotion, clutching the gun more tightly.

"Drop your gun." She repeated, her voice choking little. He faked a sad sigh.

"after everything I did for you. . . this is how you will pay me?"

"Drop the gun. . ." by now, tears were making its way down her cheek. Her eyes helplessly turned to Rawte, who struggled more against the gang men's hold. He is the only person who here can sense her inner turmoil, and he hated that he was so helpless right now that he cant even free himself.

And just like that, she took the biggest decision of her life.

"I am sorry." She whispered, and Dev's eyes lit up, thinking she gave up, and he visibly smirked as she slowly lowered her gun. NIB chief cursed at her action and everyone else readied themselves for another round of firing, but then suddenly, she rose her gun and shot once toward Dev's direction.

Everyone gasped in horror, and dev's eyes widen in shock as he registered what just happened now. He could not believe it, but then he dropped on his knees as the pain become unbearable for him, and then saw it.

Her bullet had hit straight in his stomach.

His men sensed this is the end and they tried to make a run for their life, unsuccessfully as Police men didn't spare them and put all bullets they had left in their possession in them. NIB chief along with some other officers ran toward ETF officers, Sikandar continued to stare at Riya at shock, who in response stared back, blankly. The gun fell from her hand and she took a couple of steps back, her mind and body frozen at her own action.

Rawte without anyone's help stood up and stared at the man, sikandar, with all hatred he could manage. This man had made his life hell, snatched his wife from him just because he was doing his job, and right now, he made his life hell all over again. He waited for this moment so long, but right now, he felt no will power to kill this man, he could not even look at him.

"take him away from my eyes." He spoke harshly turning his back from him, and everyone looked at him shocked. everyone knew he so wanted to take revenge from this man, but when the time arrived, he is not showing any signs to do so. Even rathore stared at him, confused.

"We need him. We need him to wipe out all his illegal works. Send him to hospital." He said, and then winced in pain as he realized he was shot in leg. Some officers gave him shoulder for help, and at the same time medics arrived, taking away Sikandar and ETF officers to hospital.

Riya had no idea where is she going or what will she do next. She found Raghu sir patting her back as soon she was out of terminal, he obviously heard what happened inside and  was immense proud of his ex students, but unknown to him his student was not feeling any of it. The emptiness, hollow feeling inside her was so big, more than when the first time she entered her house after her family's death and realized, they are gone forever.

She heard the sound of ambulance and saw medics were taking away her team mates and De. . . HIM. The blank feeling stayed as she saw Arjun staring at her intently, she didn't even tried to give a fake smile or nod, she just wanted to stay like that, frozen and somewhere far where none can disturb her.

She didn't realize how or when they all reached ETF and the press was waiting for all of them. NIB chief and DIG praised her, media went all praising on both departments and asked next course of action. They asked how is she feeling after shooting the most wanted man of Mumbai, and in reply, she just stared at the journalist who asked her this.

How she is feeling? She herself cant understand how she is, because she was torn in desire to shout out and cry, and stay quiet and do nothing. But she did the third way, excusing herself politely from conference and headed out of conference.

The ETF team, shree chotu liza and aisha gave her a look of pride, and that was more than she could take. She stood right infront of them, and when Aisha tried to approach her, she just burst infront of them.

"don't look at me like that." Her whispered voice choked, "there was no heroic thing I did in airport. Just don't look at me like that. . ."

And then she ran away from him, leaving everyone confused behind her. she stopped running once she was on main road, and then took out her cell, punching her home's number on it.

"Dad?" her voice was loud and hoarse, and even before her father could reply anything, she continued.

"I am coming home Dad. I just cant take it anymore. . . I am coming home."

Tears ran down her father's cheek as well. He shook his head vigorously, not realizing his daughter cant see it.

"Come home beta. I will keep you all covered