Chapter 7

Chotu went to meet the property dealer and the rest of the team went to Swami's resident.

It was a duplex villa along with  hug net houses behind it. The whole complex was well arranged with plantation.

As they got down from the SUV, a loud noise hit their ears. It was the chatter of different types of birds. And Shree found something landed on his shoulder. It was a pigeon.

Shree : Yeh musibat yahan!

They went inside, and a lady welcomed them. As they entered the living room, the lady asked them to wait and went inside to inform Mr. Swami. The pigeon was still sitting on Shree's shoulder, and was trying to have his attention by nibbling his spec's handle, ear and hair. That was annoying Shree and he tried to remove the bird from him, but in vain.

Shree : Hey, go...huss...hurrr.

Aisha : It seems she's in love with you, don't break her little heart, let her be.

Shree : Love, my foot! It's annoying me. Oye...jaa..

Pigeon : Boo...boo...(rubbing it's crown on his ear).

Saakshi : look Sameer, isn't it true love?

Before Rathod open his mouth, Arjun spoke up.

Arjun : Love isn't fun, Saakshi. Shree, bare it for some times. Soon, your problem will be solved.

"You are right", A female voice spoke from behind.

Rathod : Hello, Mrs. Swami. We're ETF...and we are here to meet Mr. Swami.

Mrs. Swami : He's in the bird house. Wait for a moment, he's coming.

Saakshi : Actually, we wanna talk to you as well.

Mrs. Swami : About?

Arjun : Mehra Mansion.

Mrs. Swami froze at her place, meanwhile, Shree pissed off that stupid bird, and he spoke up.

Shree : But before that, plz take away this stupid bird from me.

Mrs. Swami approached to Shree and held that bird in her hands, but it scratched her hand and went back to Shree.

Mrs. Swami : Well, Chikky ko shirf NC hi handle karr sakte hain. I think, she's liking you ...Do you use Ruben (a perfume brand)?

Shree : haan, kyun.?

Mrs. Swami : (Smiles) Chikky  loves that smell. My husband also uses this...so, let him come, he'll take her away.

Aisha : So, this bird loves something that smells like peppermint chewing gum!

She got a hard glare from Shree for that.

Arjun : Ok then, can we start , Mrs. Swami?

Mrs. Swami : Well, sit ...& call me Maya, Bivha (she called the maid)... Bring some coffee here.

Arjun : I prefer tea.

Mrs. Swami signaled the maid, and she went away.

Rathod : Well Maya, tell us about that mansion.

Maya: I don't know much about that mansion. Each time I went there, I had found it different every time.

Arjun : How? (Maya's answer confused him)...We hard you and Yatin...

Maya: Yes, we were looking each other, but it was not serious at all. We were not even good friends. I generally went there to attend Yatin's party or if he invited me for something, just as a guest. Moreover, every time he decorated it differently. I even never saw that mansion in daylight. Generally, I used to go in the evening.

Saakshi : But you are the closest to him during his last days. So, you must know something that he never told anyone.

Maya : And why you expecting me to tell you that?

Rathod : Look madam, We have found three corpses from there, someone is attacking on the investigation team. It's serious and you still want to hide those?

Maya : Those are my personal matters. And after these years I don't remember everything. Now I've a life. Plz let me live, and plz don't drag NC into this.

Saakshi : Plz Maya, calm down..C btn ths.z don'l lp onal m.ses from thre, somone rdc'id to inform hr We don't want to interfere in your personal life, but at last you can help us... agar aap ki past kisika present ko saamhal sake to iss main harz hi kya hain?

Maya : (smiles at Saakshi)You know, You talk just like her.

Saakshi : (smiles back ) I know, actually we are birds of a feather. Tell us whatever you told her; if possible, tell us some more.

Maya : Well, Yatin was a good actor and a good human being as well. But he was very introvert. He talked much about everything except himself. If anyone asked something about him, he just put himself in the oyster shell. He loved to scare people, and therefore, people used to hate him. We shared a merely distanced relationship, we usually communicated through our assistants. He sometimes shared his evenings with me. It increased during his last days.  And one day, he went away, forever. His assistant brought his diary and some letters after his death. That's all.

Arjun : Can we see those?

Maya : That girl, Sonali borrowed it for some days.

Arjun : Did you went to that mansion after his death?

Maya : I didn't have any cause to go there.

"Kahan jane kii baat ho raha hain" A male voice asked from the door.

Maya : that's NC, my husband.

A middle aged man in working suit entered the room, average height, grey curly hair, brown eyes, and dark complexion, with a piece of rainbow sitting on his shoulder. The rainbow flew towards Maya and settle on the armrest of her couch.

Bird : Hey sweetheart ,missed me? Now give me a kiss.

Maya kissed its beak; then brought out a cookie from a container and gave it to the bird. The bird grabbed it in its nails and munched. Everyone was shocked at that scene.

NC: That a Brazilian Parrot & My assistant.. His name's Pinto.

As Pinto finished his cookie, he looked around and his gaze fell on Chikky. He made a sound and Chikky flew away from Shree and sit on a stand beside the couch. (Shree relived, at last.).

Pinto : Besharam, kahin vi chonch maarti hai. Khabardaar , aapni jagah se hili to. (then he moved around and saw the team looking at him enquiringly)...Oh, we have guests, hey, mere liye cookies laye ho kya? (moving towards Aisha ) Hey baby, kya laayee ho, do..

Maya : Pinto, bad boy.!!

Pinto : Sorry. (flew up and sat on Saakshi's lap)... hey gorgeous, I'm Pinto, You?

Saakshi : (little scared but enjoying much) I'm Saakshi.

Pinto : Wow, Seksi! I loved it! (Author's note :you know how to pronounce it)

Maya & NC : (shouting) PINTO!! SHUT UP.!!

The whole team was hell shocked, spcially Saakshi, she turned red. But to add their misery, Pinto just ignored the Swami's, and climbed up Rathod's shoulders.  Settling comfortably there, He turned his head to Arjun.

Pinto : Hey boy, tell me she's not Seksi. (Arjun didn't answer and looked away)... Come on... give me answer or Cookie. Anyone, answer or cookie...Pinto's bhookhie...yeah.

Maya passed Rathod the cookie container. He took out one and gave it Pinto.  Pinto took it and swallowed.

Pinto : ( To Rathod) Pinto loves you muchchar. (Turning his head to Arjun) and Seksi hates you Gabbar.

NC : Now Come on pinto, go inside with Bivha. Bivha, take him away.

Bivha took Pinto inside and Chikky settled on NC's Shoulder.

NC : Plz don't mind. Pinto's little crazy. Brazilian Parrots generally badmaash hote hain, just like 3yars old children, curious, mischievous, naughty. And Pinto un badmaashon ki leader hain.Waise hain bara honshiar, he's a first learner. ... ek baar kuch sikhta hain, to vulta nahi. Mere birds ko yahi samhalke raakhta hain. Aur hum sab ko entertain vi karta hain.

Rathod : It's ok. Mr. Swami, we have some questions for you.

NC : go on.

Rathod : well, what do you know about Mehra Mansion?

NC : That situated over that hillock behind my house? Not much. I just know, my house was included in Mehra's property. It was their servants house which turned into guest house in 1980.  I needed a quit place near the city to establish my bird sanctuary, so when I found this place, I bought it.

Arjun : If you ever went there, in Mehra Mansion.

NC : Never.

Saakshi : To aap Maya se kaise mile?

NC : (took Maya's hand in his). In a bird Show, She was with Yatin and she was very curious about my birds. They both used to come my house, then we became friends and finally she decided to come into my life.

Shree : So you knew Yatin?

NC : Haan, after all we had same interest. In fact, he knew more about birds than me. I even asked him for a partnership for my sanctuary. But unfortunately, he passed away.

Rathod : Tell us more about him.

NC : Actually when  we were together, w just talked about birds. In addition, he was little introvert and didn't like to talk about himself, and I never asked.

Arjun : well, what about his birds collection?

NC : After his death, his assistant brought some of his birds to me, & I kept them. He had a good collection indeed. Unki birds aane ke baad Mere collction to double ho gaya tha. But unki poora collction ka kya hua, woh mujh nahin pata. May be mansion area main hi un birds ko release kiya gaya.

Shree : On more thing, aap na sahi, aap kii birds to mansion jate honge,right?

NC : (smiles) birds have wings, and I never cut them. But why you are asking.

Shree : I met your Chikky there yesterday. We also saw a number of pigeons there, many of them were Special breeds...

NC : Of course you did. My bird house isn't too big, and I'm collecting birds for 25 years, so it's obvious they increased in number and found their shelter nearby. And Yatin's bird house was also inside the mansion. I guess.

As Chikky heard her name, she flew from NC's  shoulder, landed on Shree's head and comfortably settled into his curly hair.

Shree : (tiredly) Not again...Mr. NC , look your stupid bird.. OUCH!!(Chikky nibbled his head)...oyee...ki koris..bozzat pakhi!!

NC : Don't you dare to call a pigeon stupid, Mr. Shree. Pigeons are super intelligent birds. They can recognize all the alphabets, and  many of their combinations i.e., words as well as all the shades of colors; can differentiate two people even in photographs and have a sharp memory, if they meet someone never forget him. They also can recognize themselves and differentiate between other pigeons in the mirror. And my Chikky is the most special one... She is an Arcangel White Trizasun Stantnije, the rarest breed of pigeons. There are only 130  pairs left around the world, 75 in Russia, rest in USA and only one in India (pointing to Shree's head). If you were a pigeon, I would say, "you are the most fortunate cock in the world, that the white princess has chosen you."

NC's last line made both the girls smiling, and Shree gave them a blank look.

Aisha : (in low voice, but clearly audible to Shree) Chalo lardki naa sahi, kabutar hi sahi, koi to isme interest dikhayee. Socho Saakshi, jab Liza ko pata chalegi to kitni khush hogi! hai na Saakshi?

Saakshi was having a big time to control her giggle, while Shree as trying to burn her with his gaze. To save herself, she tried to switch the topic.

Saakshi : Aap apni birds ko cage main nahin raakhtein?

NC : Only selective and special ones, baaki sab free hi rehte hain.

Saakshi : Chale nahi jaate kya? Roz sab wapas aate hain?

NC : Love is so powerful, girl. If you truly love something, you would never lose it.

Pinto flew in and again mad some noise that made Chikky flew back to the stand. Pinto landed on NC's head.

Pinto : Maya, leave him, we've to go. Come NC let's go.

NC : excuse me, It's feeding time.

Saakshi : NC, can we come along?

NC : Why not, you are most welcome.

NC passed them earmuffs, as the birdhouse was very noisy. Meanwhile Saakshi signaled Shree and Shree screamed.

Shree : Oh...Maa...

Saakshi: what happened? Shree, are you OK?

Shree : yah..just.. OH.

Arjun : Saakshi, take Shree to doctor, we'll reach there.

Shree : no, sir I'm fine. Jaldhi main thora lag gaya, thori der baithunga toh thik ho jayega, you carry on. I'll join you .

Rathod : You sure?

Shree : yaah.

Arjun : Saakshi, stay with Shree.

Maya : Uski zarurat nahin, I'm here.

NC: No, You're coming with me.

Maya : (smiling) Jo hokum, sarkaar, Bivha... Look after them.

Everybody left Shree and Saakshi with Chikky. Shree : Yahan kyun ruki?

Saakshi : Arre, I'm helping you Shree, aagar bahar do char Chikky aur ho, to kya hoga maalum hai?

Shree : Darrao maat, sach sach bolo kyun ruki?

Saakshi : (mimicking Pinto) wait, boy ,wait.

Bivha enters with an ice bag.

Bivha : Ice bag laga lo beta, aaram milga.

Shree : (taking it) thanks.

Saakshi : Well, bivha ji, yeh Mr. Swami loves Maya a lot, right?

Bivha : Haan ,bohot. Inhe dekh kar to kabhi kabhi mujhe laagta hain yeh dono ki honeymoon aavi tak khatam hi nahi hui. But it has been almost 23 years.

Shree : to bachche bhi bohot saare honge, nahi?

Bivha : Na na, sirf do hi bete hain. Yash and Yogesh.

Saakshi : Are they here ?

Bivha : No, Yash lives in US, he's an biologist  and Yogesh  lives in Benguluru, he's doing his engineering.

Saakshi : So they live here alone?

Shree : Haan, bus haar saal 3month ke liye bahar jaate hain, apni bachchon se milne, aur  for family holiday.

Shree : Iss saal gaye?

Bivha : No, they will.

Saakshi : Aap kabse hain yahan?

Bivha :  Actually, I was madam's assistant. I'm with her since she started her career. She loves me as her sister. And I don't have any issue to left her.

Saakshi : Then you know everything about her and Yatin Mehra?

Bivha : Don't take that betrayer's name. He hurt madam a lot. He broke her trust, ruined her life and left her to die. She had to put up an end to her career just because of him.

Shree : Aisa kya hua tha?

Bivha : they were engaged, and he left her just like that. If you don't want to live then why made such promises that you can't fulfill?

Saakshi : Matlab?

Bivha :He committed suicide after two days of their engagement.

Saakshi and Shree were dumbstucked with this bolt from the blue.

Shree : Aur NC?

Bivha : Agar woh nahi hote toh... Madam ko unhone hi samhala...aur aaj tak samhalke rakha hai. Kehte hain pehla payaar vulana aasan nahi hota,  but Sir ne madam ke dil se uss Yatin ko nikal hi dia.

...

Mean while in the birdhouse.

NC guided them exploring the birdhouse, it's a big netted warehouse decorated with some real and artificial trees, bushes and sculptures which given it a natural touch.  All the internal walls consist of several ledges in rows. Here team met an assistant of NC, Prakash. Team noticed some cages were placed inside occupied with birds.

NC : Pigeons, offspring of 15 days...Separated for Vaccination.

Rathod : ( staring at a cage) You also collect Chickens?

NC : no... no.. that's not chicken, they're Runt, largest breed of pigeons.

Rathod felt little embarrassed, Aisha noticed that.

 Aisha : I also thought they're chicken.

NC : Well, I have some regular breeds for meat, they're over there. (he pointed another corner of the house.) but, It's Ok. Pinto call them for lunch.

Pinto flew to top of the bird house and started to call on top of its voice. First few seconds nothing seems to happen, then suddenly a load of birds stared entering from every void of the net house; within ten minutes, the house was full. Pigeons of different colors, sizes and breeds settled inside the birdhouse and patiently waiting for the next call.

NC, Prakash and Maya Started filling the feeding boxes. Once a box as full, a group of birds flew down over it. As they completed filling, all birds were busy with their meal. Then they start feeding the separated birds in the cages and incubation cubicles.

Maya called Aisha near her and show a pigeon family busy with their 2 days' squabs.

Maya : Look how these parents feeding their squabs.

Aisha : Feeding?! Ewww...Looks like they're vomiting inside their mouth.

Maya : This thing is called crop milk, they'll live on it for next on week. These parents will look after their babies together. I love this thing of pigeons. They do everything together, just like soul mates. They don't leave each other till death.

They all heard a sharp sound by then. It was pinto. NC ran towards a feeding box and filled it back. Pinto guided him to some more boxes and he refilled them. Meanwhile, he was continuously talking about pigeons, showing them different breeds and types of them. He showed the Racers, Homers, Tumbler, Roller, Jacobins, Fantail, Carrier, Nuns, Dragoon, Trumpter, Sallows, Turtle Dove, Orlics, Scadaroon, Stock Dove, Collred Dove, Laughers etc.Within 15 minutes, the ACPs learnt a lot about pigeons.

Rathod : Lagta hai ghar jaake apna farm to aab khol hi sakta hoon.

A closed door stole Arjun's attention, he proceeded towards that door, but Rathod stops him by pulling his hand.

Rathod : NC, what's behind that door?

NC : Special birds. ... Wait, I'll show you. Maya, come here.

Saakshi and Shree also joined them.

Rathod : Are you OK, Shree?

Shree : Perfect, Sir.

NC guided them toward that room; it was a big room with cages, an incubation chamber and a freezer.

NC : These birds are separated for health issues. This pigeon has broken a wing, this one lost an eye in a battle, This parrot is ill. 

Aisha : What about this white parrot?

NC :  She's incubating, come after 2 weeks, you can meet her squab.

Rathod : And this magpai?

NC : bewafayee ki saza mili ise, GF ne aankh phor di...

Arjun : And those?

NC : Those are relatively weak squabs, need special care. Come...

NC took them to another room, it was smaller than the previous on, and many cages were placed there.

Aisha : Another sick room?

NC : I separate the rare and pure breeds here. they're special.

Arjun : The birds outside are also special right? & I saw many of these there, then why?

NC : Well, pigeons always choose their partners willingly, they generally don't bother about their breeds; & because they're monogamous ,If they decide once nobody can change it until one of them are dead. Therefore, there are chances of cross breeding and it happens. That's why I have to separate some of them to produce pure breeds.

Saakshi : That's why A pair of dove symbolize the eternal love.

Maya : Corrct. True and eternal love.

Shree : These are like Chikky, right?

NC : They're Arcangels, but different breed.

Aisha : & those are fantails.

NC : Correct.

Saakshi : and that's a feather ball?

NC : Well, his looks always fools people, that's a Holle cropper. Look here I've some more breeds alike, these birds with big crops are generally called Poulters, they can fill their crop with air. Once they're full, their chest become almost double of their body. Look !!(some of the birds started filling themselves with air). They're being fluffy.

Saakshi : Chotu kii miniature laag raha hain.

Aisha : Haan, but too Cute!!

 Shree : Bechara chotu, miss karr dia(sighed). NC, aapne iss Chikky ko yahan kyun nahi raakhte?

NC : Kyun ki Chikky ka match yahan nahi hain.

Saakshi : Iska color combination to...

NC : Hai na?... this is a Tiger swallow. They've orange stripes in wings and feet feathers.

Aisha : Aur yeh ...

Maya : they're Owls. Their main criterion is these extraordinary chest feather. Looks hot, na?

Arjun adjusted his shirt and closed upper button. Rathod noticed it. He also checked his buttons, & tried to change the topic.

Rathod : I think we should go now...

A man entered and whispered something into NC's ear. NC nodded.

NC : Good news, Maya, Pinto has siblings. (to the team) Aap dekhoge?

Saakshi : (exited) yes!

NC brought them in another bird house where different types of birds were kept, this one is more noisy than the previous one. Cages are occupied of different colorful birds, Parrots, Magpies, Muniyahs, Love birds and so many others they've never seen before. They were in a colored world. Among those chirps, NC and Maya's name were audible. It was the parrots. Her again Pinto came in rescue, his one loud call made all the birds silent.

NC headed towards a cubicle and knocked.

Riko, Babies ko dkhna hain. bahar aao.

A voice came out, pehle cookies do...sabko.'

The man passed a cookies container to NC, NC brought out some cookies, gave Pinto one and hold another in front of the cubicle. A beak appeared which snatched it. NC signaled the man to open the lid of the cubicle.

As the lid was removed, they saw two colorful parrots with two newborn squabs.

Saakshi & Aisha : So cute!!

Maya : look Pinto, you have brothers...

Pinto : Cheee...

One of the parrots dived towards Pinto. & Pinto flew away.

NC : Riko aab acchese khabar lega... Rikki yeh lo cookie. ( gave her a cookie). (Turning to the man)Vijay, sabko khana de do...aur...

Vijay :  Doctor ko phon karr dia, Vipul ko bhi bata dia. Don't worry.

Rathod : Aab ...chalo sabb. Thanks Mr. NC, we really had a great time.

Arjun : but yeh aadmi?

NC : Yeh mera assistant, aur iss birdhouse ka caretaker, Vijay... the parrot specialist.

... ...

It is a long & probably boring update, plz let me know how it was actually.