Chapter 16 : 

Shree and Sonali were going to Swami's place, Shree was driving, Sonali was in passanger seat and Chikky was sitting on Shree's shoulder.

Sonali : You are going to office after dropping me there?

Shree : No, We'll return together. Arjun sir gave me strict orders, not to leave you there alone.

Sonali : Why? I don't see any risk going there.

Shree : The Swami's are too risky, Sonali. They are not that they looks... they're hiding almost everything about them. & tell me one thing, did you see anyone made their backdoor so secured?

Sonali nodded negatively.

Sonali : But Shree, Maya can't be a part of it...I know she's hiding something but I don't think she's with NC in this.

Shree : And what led you here?

Sonali : I don't know...may be my gut feeling...but I may wrong also...may be she's acting so good & making me fool...Did you find about that aerials?

Shree : I want to see them once, then I can surely say something.

Sonali's phone buzzed and she picked it up, listened to other side, answered in few words and cut the call.

Shree : Err...Sonali...

Sonali :  It was Sasha. Baat personal hain toh sorry, I'm not telling you.

...

They reached at Swami's place. Prakash met them at the entrance.

Prakash : Hellow, Sonali ji. How are you?

Sonali : Fine, you...& others?

Prakash : Thy're good...uh..Sir aap inki saath? Anything wrong?

Shree : Haan...yeh pigeon...I mean Chikky..kal mere sath tha...toh... I thought I should return her & met NC to know how to get rid of her.

Prakash : (Smiling) Sure...come.

He led them inside.

In hall Maya and Bibha were busy with Pinto, Sonali & Shree exchangd greetings with them.

Pinto flew to sonali, Sonali spread her hand forward & Pinto sat on her wrist. Seeing Pinto, Chikky flew to the bird stand.

Pinto : Missed me Sona?

Sonali: ( touching it's beak) Very much...that's why I come to meet you (She brought out a cookie from her bag and offered him)...for my sweet love.

Pinto : love ya..girl. ( he took the cookie)  

Shree's eyes literally popped out from sockets...god!!...yeh to Saakshi se vi chalu hain !!

Maya : Aaj dono ek saath ? any problem ?

Shree : Kyun main aise nahi aa sakta?

Maya : No, it's not like that... you are always welcome here...but...

Sonali : policewalon se sabko darr lagta hain...

Shree : Nop...only guilty ones are afraid of police...otherwise we are normal human being & friends of people. ...Well...actually I was coming to return...this...Chikky...&  met her on the way. Her car was broken so I offered her a ride.

Maya : You know each other?

Sonali : He's my friends collegue.

Shree : Well where's NC?

Maya : In birdhouse...wait, I'll call him...

Shree : It's ok Maya...let it be...I'll find him.. (Maya looked at him with worried eyes)... well I need some tips to stay away from her (pointing to Chikky).

Maya nodded. Shree caught Chikky and left the room.

...

Shree put chikky on his shoulder and started checking the whole area. He knew it was his bast opportunity to find the clues. He hurriedly took snaps of everything and moved to the back yard.

The back yard is looked like Maya's place... flower plantations, qeary, and a beautiful walkway...but the wide driveway lead to the birdhouses caught his attention. He movd to check the driveway and moved to the gate.

It was the gate he checked from outside a day before. He checked the gate, it was same as it looked from outside, then he sarched the narby buches and found the controlling console. He took it's photos and hurriedly moved away before anyone could see him.

Then he checked the storehouse and both the birdhouses from outside. He was about to move to the entranc of pigeon house...a strong hand stopped him from behind. It held him tightly behind his neck.

Man : What are you doing here? Who are you...

Shree looked at the huge, well built figure holding him like a bird. That man had exact physic of chotu and his face is hard.

Shree : Look sir...I'm here to...

Man : to steal our birds?

But Chikky didn't like the man accusing her Shree... she attacked him, bfor he or Shree could understand anything.

Man : Oh god...stop it Chikky...go...

Shree was enjoying it but NC came and held Chikky by that time.

NC : Quite Chikky...What are you doing ..?

 The question was for Shree, but before he could tell anything ,the man spoke up.

Man : (in angry tone) He is here to steal birds...

NC : Shut up Vipul...he's not a thief, an ETF officer. (to Shree) Sorry for my assistant's behavior. He's little possessive with the birds. ...Vipul, what is this...you can't differentiate between thief & police? Yeh ladka kis angle se chor laagta hain?

Shree : (mind voice) Insaan ka size jitna bara hota hain uska brain utna hi kam chalta hain, isko ko toh dekht hi pata chal jata hain...iski aur chotu ki brain ek jaisa hain. difference sirf itna hain, Chotu ka naam logon ko confuse karta hain, iska nahi.)

Vipul : Sorry, Sir. I didn't know you called ETF to protect your birds.

Shree : Ek minute, plz tell me what happened?

NC : Nothing, actually from last 2-3 days, some unknon people are roaming around the resident. And have rare and exotic birds in collection, so we got worried a bit...you know  have birds of million dollers. That beauty (pointing to Chikky) worth more than a million, So I told everyon to keep their eyes open.

Vipul : Haan...& today I saw some unknown footmarks outside our resident.  

Shree : Did you lodge a complain?

NC : No, not yet. First, I want to confirm if there any threat or not. Anyways, what brought you here?

Shree : Your Chikky... she was with me from last two days...I thought you must be worried...

NC : Yes, I was little worried as I didn't saw her at night... I thought today I'll keep her in cage. But she was with you toh.. it's ok. I hope she didn't disturbed you much.

Shree : Actually...no...I mean yes...but it's difficult to carry her during work. You had better keep her in cages.

NC : Agar yeh sirf  chiriya hola toh zaroor rakhta...par iski dil kisipe aa gaya hain to iss aashiq ko kaise qaid karun?

Shree : Haan!!

NC : Just kidding...come let's have some tea.

...

Sonali was having a great time with Pinto & Maya.

Maya : You are looking pale...are you ok?

Sonali : Yah.. I'm fine... & thanks...

Maya : For what?

Sonali : For letting me come here...instead of this cripping noise, It's very peaceful here.

Maya : Don't say thanks... I love your company too, dear young friend.

Sonali : That's so sweet of you..

Pinto : Sweet !!...oh...sweet Sona... I love sweet cookies...wow (he sawmersalted twice)...yeah.(Sonali gave him a cookie)... I love you.. (He puffed his crown up.)

 

Sonali : You know Maya, last night I talked with Jay's sister, she & Jij expecting their first child. But this incident made her so upset. I hope she would be fine.

Maya : Don't worry... She'll be...just take care of her.

Sonali : there's everyone for her...but insaan stressed toh ho hi jate hain. Maya did you had any problem during your first child?...I mean you were also went through almost same situation...

Maya : Nop...during Yash... everything was normal, my mom & NC took a good care of me.

Sonali : & Your in laws?

Maya : NC was his parents only child. His mom passed away when he was 12 and his dad just before some years he cam here...so... I've no in laws.

Sonali : So you miss the fun with in laws !!

Maya : Pretty much. But my mom and Bibha ...uss kami ko puri karr deti hain.

NC entered with Shree & Chikky.

NC : Hey girl... how are you?

Sonali : Hi NC...I'm good...you?

NC : As usual...Maya, look who's back...

Maya : I saw her...did you asked her how was her assignation?

NC : I'm sure it was good. Um..Maya, we need some tea...& I smelt the fruitcake you made at morning ...maybe resting in friedge now, ek do pieces milega?

Maya : With pleasure, darling.

Maya called Bibha and asked her to bring some tea & snacks.

...

Bibha brought tea and a big fruitcake. Maya cut some pieces and offered them.

Shree : The cake is yummy, Maya

Maya : Then have some more (about to served him another piece)..

Shree : Thanks...but I can't eat more.

NC : Arre...khalo...itne kum khaoge toh criminals ko kaise pakroge. Khao..khao.

Shree looked at Sonali who as enjoying the situation.

Shree : No..I'm getting late. Sonali, come, I'll drop you home.

Sonali : Ok, but I wanted to see Pinto's sibilings.

NC : Come.

...

NC took them to parrot house where the offsprings were kept. Sonali bcame busy adoring them, when Shree tried to collect some information.

NC : She looks happy with birds when she comes here. You know first time when she came to meet Maya, she was different, like a bird with broken wings, and now she's quite sorted.

Shree : She recovered quick.

NC : No, She covered it up nicely.

Shree: Well, NC. I noticed arials on the roofs...from outside. What are they for?

NC : Pigeon trackers. My pigeons are precious and rare also, so I put trackers on them. ( He showed Chikky's leg) look, this ring in her leg,it contains the device.

Shree : Toh...isiliya aap Chikky ko lekar worrid nahi the.

NC nodded.

Shree : We didn't see Vipul last time? What does he do her?

NC : He's our caretaker.That day, he was out for collect monthly supplies,Ghar aur birdhouse dono ki maintainance uski responsibility hain.

Prakash came & called NC. NC excused himself and went with him. Shree looked around and saw vipul standing in a corner. Shree was frightened when he was approaching towards him; Shree mentally prepared himself to face him.

Vipul : Sorry for my behavior, sir. I thought you are a thief.

Shree : (relieved) It's ok. But why you thought me a thief?

Vipul : Nobody comes here in this manner. I was previously informed about the visitors. Woh madam vi aaj koi aur car main aaya hain toh...I was confused.

Shree : Generally kaun kaun aate hain yahan?

Vipul : Veterenian Mr. Shetty, comes twice in a week, to examine the birds, and Jagdish sir, Sir's friend & lawyear, he doesn't maintain any timetable, but never misses Sundays.

Shree : And?

Vipul : Some bird collectors, wildlife foundation officers, animal rights workers, biologists use to come here, but with appointments.

Shree: And for Maya?

Vipul : Madam has no such friends, sometimes she call beautitians home, that's it.

Shree : Hmm...

Vipul : Sir, If you don't mind...if you have any problem in your feet?

Shree : No, why?

Vipul : (pointing to his feet) I felt you have difficulty while walking.

Shree: Oh!! It was sprained last week.

Vipul : And sir your shoes... looks good... from where did you buy those?

Shree : Woodland's . You liked those?

Vipul : (with sheepish grin) well, I was wondering to buy a pair like those, can I?

Shree : Should I took off them?

Vipul : No, I just want to see them closely.

Shree sat on a stool and Vipul looked the shoes closely. At the same time Sonali came.

Sonali : Come Shree, let's go home.

And she dragged Shree to the SUV.

...

Shree was driving, he was confused at Sonali's behavior.

Shree : Sonali, why did you dragged me from there?

Sonali : What were you showing with that bodybuilder?

Shree : He was quering abot my shoes, he wanted to buy something similar... so..why?

Sonali : I have a bad feeling about it. Did you asked NC about his sons.

Shree : No...I don't think he would tell me the truth.

A little after.

Shree : Sonali, don't mention about that fruitcake in front of Chotu. He would mind.

...
How was it?