Chapter 2

Dass dungi

@Phir_Mohabbat

"Good morning team." he greeted and sat on his chair. everyone, except Rawte of course, greeted back, and there started a normal ETF day like every other day. the discussion about Forensic reports, the theories, suspects, interrogations, and of course, Rathore Rawte clashes too, which was today too much intense. the whole team felt Rawte sir was deliberately trying to heat up the atmosphere to burst, and Rathore sir was not letting him do so, they were having a tough time to decide which was more dangerous, a supressed Rawte or a Angry red bull Rawte.

"Riya, what are you thoughts in this?" asked Rathore, trying to make her feel comfortable. she looked at everyone, minus HIM, as everyone looked at her right back expecting her to say anything.

"I will withhold my judgment till the interrogation." she replied.

"Maybe our new member, the criminal psychologist and ex officer has nothing to say." Rawte shifted his stare an her again, twirling his pen like he always do. as Rathore didnt let him burst, his focus diverted to her once again, his male ego thinking her as a soft target where it can satisfy itself.

everyone looked surprised at his words. his taunts on capability of someone was totally new. the juniors thought though their second in command boss was always a grenade, ready to burst anytime, they had not thought he can be so ruthless to someone who had just set her foot in this office, just because she had left her job years ago. the juniors particularly, looked at each other, thinking if Rawte sir had heard their earlier conversation about new recruit or it was just personal research.

"Better not to say anything then speculate theories, Sir." answered right back Riya, her eyes looking coolly at him, and others looked impressed at this.

"Ok team, lets get back to work." informed Rathore and everyone went to their works. Rawte keep sitting on his chair, the pen was fixed between his fingers. he kept it back calmly at the table, still staring at her as she left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

still that attitude. some people never change. she used to be the one who manage to make him feel extreme emotions, extreme anger, extreme friendship, extreme sarcasm, extreme competitiveness. everything about her was extreme, her ego was as big as him, her eyes never backed off from his like others used to do, and that smart mouth. that smart mouth which used to drive him insane, or make him see the reality of things. she was so alike to him in many ways, yet she was totally different than them. everyone used to wonder how can he become friend with a girl who was so arrogant about her capabilities and so egoistic, but they had forgot, we often become friends with the people who are alike us.

Friend, she used to call him her friend. it was all a big fat lie. All she used to care about the status of a person, about the bank balance or family legacy. the person dont matter to her, her status matter to her only.

His life was already going worse, thanks to the inner driving force inside him and the Chief of here. now the chief had dragged her too to torture him, but he wont let her get into his skin. he wont let her affect him.

But, he want answers.

contraries do exist in life.

Later in the afternoon

The fantastic four were sitting on their usual place, a table in the corner from where they can see everything that was going in in canteen. they were munching on their lunch, sharing the foods and talking. to none's surprise, the topic of discussion was the staring contest back in discussion room. everyone was filling Liza with details of what she missed, and she vowed to come early from next day.

S: as if they will continue this staring game for you tomorrow.

L: specky, please sometime speak something lucky too. always Manhoos talks.

A: i am having a feeling we are in for more fireworks.

C: is it me or you guys also feel Riya and Arjun sir know each other from earlier?

A: if i am correct then Rathore sir too.

S: are you mad? Rathore sir and Khadoos? as in friends? these two and friends cant come in same sentence.

L: maybe not friends, maybe they knew each other. maybe school mates or something?

C: you know, (Chotu gulped the Burger rather too quickly and made a sound from his mouth, others looked disgusted), Rathore sir call DIG sir by his first name. i heard him talking.

S: Raghu sir used to be the part of the faculty in Pune Police Academy.

L: very good specky! Are you usually this informative or you are interested in Raghu sir?

(Aisha and Chotu giggled and Shree glared)

S: very funny, Ha Ha Ha! i had heard about it.

A: Rathore sir was the best student in his batch. Remember Raghu sir had once mentioned?

L: what about some more personal research?

A: guys, dont you think we are poking nose in their matters?

S: no we are not. because . . .

L: they wont ever know about it.

C: and if they wont know we are safe.

A: but . . .

L: we wont tell you anything if we find out, ok? happy?

A: what the. . .? even i want to know!

S: its settled then. i will do some 'personal research'.

L: all the best, specky. go shine my name.

Later in the night, ETF office

"lets call it a day, team." announced Rathore and everyone looked relieved. the juniors packed their stuff, bid goodbye to each other and left. Riya was near the entrance of office, when she remembered something. she turned and saw Rathore was coming to her.

"Sameer." she called out, "I wanted the arms dealing case file for study, can you give me?"

"its in my cabin, let me bring it." rathore turned to head toward his cabin but she spoke little hurriedly to stop him.

"No no, its fine. i will bring it."

"are you sure?"

"only if you dont mind me entering your cabin." she spoke sincerenly. he smiled in reply.

"I wont mind, and you know it too." he replied, sighing, "Ok, take it from my cabin. the file is in red color."

they bid each other good night and Riya headed for his cabin. there were several red color files, so she kept her bag on the table, went through each files to check which one she wanted. she was going through the last red file, when all of a sudden lights went out.

"What the. . .?" she said to herself in darkness. she took out her phone and in the low light tried to find matchstick or any torch in the drawers. she felt guilty to go through his drawers, but she hoped he wont mind like he said.

the door of the cabin opened rather too loudly and she jumped, startling, dropping her she remembered everyone of her team had left the office premises, so who is this person and what is he doing here?  

"Who are you?" she asked, trying to steady her voice and it sound as steady as she managed. the man didnt answer, so her ex police instinct took her over and she attacked the person. she walked too fast, taking the man by surprised, then hold something in darkness which was his arm, and twisted it behind him, turning him around.

she felt a hit of nostalgia as the person banged to her, and before she can make out head or tail of this feeling, the person counter attacked her. he hold her wrist, twisted it behind her, turned her toward him and pulled her to him. she banged straight into his chest, to steady herself back she clutched tight a fabric, which was his shirt she felt.

at the same time the lights came back, and with a shock she saw it was Arjun she attacked. he was looking rather furious at her, of course he was. now she knew why she felt familiar when she attacked him, her mind answered and nodded with her. she looked down, leaving his shirt from her clutch and distanced herself, pushing him little away from her.

Arjun was near the entrance when the lights went off. he saw there was a light coming out of Rathore's cabin and went in to check. the person was searching something in darkness, using his phone. as he entered, the person went startled and dropped the phone from his hand. he was thinking what to do next, when the person demanded to know who was he, and he realised it was Riya. he had only opened his mouth to answer, when she attacked him.

she was always good at marshal arts, he had'nt forgotten it, but didnt imagine she will attack him like this. so he counter attacked and she banged straight into him. the lights came back at the exact same time. he had gone quite good in marshal arts in all these years, practice makes man perfect. now helding her captive, a part of his mind which always used to compete with her standard in marshal arts, congratulated him for his success. it was like he had managed to defeat the champion of class.

"What are you doing here?" asked Riya, trying to keep her voice as calm and composed as she had managed to do the full day. in response, he crossed his arms over chest, his signature pose, and stared at her coolly.

"I should ask you this." he said. Riya now turned, picked up her phone from ground and walked toward table, picking up the file hurrily.

"I had come here to take some files." she answered as she adjusted the papers, silently praying to god that he dont see the papers, "i had taken permission from him."

"why do you need permission?" his voice went taunt like, "after all, you are his special friend, or should i say, Girl friend?"

she dropped the file in nervousness and bent quickly to pick the papers up. she tried to shove off his words, Girl friend, he think like this, but the words stung too badly. her pulse rate quicken as he also bend down on floor to help her.

"I dont need your help." she snapped and it helped too. his face went furious, and without any further word, he stood up and left the cabin, banging the door behind him.

she sighed to herself, pulling her hair in a mixture of frustration and pain. the lump in her throat now threatened to come out anytime now, but she cant cry here, can she? she took several deep breaths and managed to gulp it down. gathering the papers, she kept them all in her bag, zipped the chain and sat on the nearby chair, suddenly feeling too tired.

it was a long day, and very tiring. a constant fear in heart, that when he will start shouting at you, or when my own mask will come out at any moment. when he was away, the eyes searched him, and when he was there in front of me, i tried to avoid his eyes, but damn it! that man is so challenging, never back down without a fight! i had to look into his eyes, being the traitor myself, but what else choice i had other than that? i had to overlook his cold accusing eyes, the body language which screamed from every inch get-the-hell-out-of-here, his expression which said always so harshly i am unwelcomed here. my conscience tell me that i am wrong, i was wrong, so i cant meet his eyes, but i did. and oh boy, going against your conscience never do any good to anyone.

i removed my specks and pinched the bridge of my nose, taking normal breaths again. looks like i have to take double doze of my anti depression pills, only then i can do this. i dont want to run back to Bangalore, to my councellor in middle of my work for therapy. i have to be strong.

too much is at stake in here.

Next day, Shivaji Medical college and hospital, MG road, Mumbai

"yous all vitals are stable, and i cant see any problem if you double your anti depression pills." The psychiatrist gave Riya back the prescription, "but just a piece of advice, i dont think any person should be so dependent on pills."

"i have no other option, Doctor." Riya mumbled and kept the prescription back in her bag. the Doctor sighed, but didnt say anything.

"Thank you so much." Riya got up from her chair and went out of the chamber, closing the door behind her. she was near the stairs when her phone rang, it was Sameer.

"Where are you?" he asked rather urgently. Riya crossed her fingers for lying to him.

"I am on my way. Anything you got?"

"i got something from my informer."

it turned out that one of the people who got caught during the illegal arms dealing case, his Mother was in a hospital from past 6 months. her condition is not that good, but every month someone clear all her hospital bills.

"We have to go check on this patient." Sameer said as he finished his telling. Riya frowned.

"Which hospital?"

"Shivaji Medical College and Hospital, not too far from ETF." he replied.

of course she know about it. she is standing right here.

"I will call you later. come office soon." Sameer cut the call and Riya looked here and there, thinking a way to know more about this patient. her eyes fell on a ward boy who was sitting idly on a stool near a room and she smirked.

she walked upto the ward boy and he was surprised, but nevertheless composed himself and gave a sugery smile to her. she rolled her eyes internally, but kept intact the smirk on her face.

"I really needed a help." She said, looking straight into his eyes. the man was slowly falling in her charm. he got up from the stool and nodded, wiping his sweaty palms on his dress in order to make himself presentable.

"Sure, Ma'am." he stammered, "anything."

"i need information about a patient." she continued in the same suger coated voice.

"that will be tough." the man stammered again, but answered quickly as Riya made her face little sad at the reply, "but i will give you ma'am, i can do it."

after some 2 minutes they both headed for record room. the ward boy went through computers and came out with a patient who's nominee was her Son, whose name was Imran. it was the very same patient who's all bills got magically cleared on the 6th day of every month, Salma. Riya took the file of the patient, asked some more questions about the patient and the person who clear his bills but this ward boy could not answer them. she finished her interrogation and put the file in her bag, when the ward boy asked her rather curiously,

"why do you need all these, Ma'am?"

"Police investigation." she smiled and the ward boy's jaw dropped in the floor. she zipped her bag and gave him another look, that smile still on her face.

"Hope you wont tell anyone about this, will you?"

"of. . . of course not, Ma'am." the ward boy stammered and her smile widened. she gave him a mock salute and walked out of the room, not realising she just gave the poor guy a heart attack.

ETF office, forensic department on the ground floor.

Liza was showing the team something in the body which was sliced open in front of them. except for chotu, everyone looked perfectly alright, like the body's presence doesnt make any difference.

Liza had finished telling her reports and the team were talking about the possible theories. they all came out and headed for Main office on 3rd floor, pushing the door and capturing everyone's attention toward them.

Sameer checked his call, thinking if he should call Riya or not. they spoke some 20 minutes ago and she said she is coming, but still no news of her. he was staring at his phone, when he felt someone literally breathing down his neck and he rolled his eyes, getting angry.

"Looks like your Criminal psychologist is late, Sir," Rawte mocked him and put more pressure on the word Sir, as Rathore love to show him each and everytime who is the boss here, "first day she was earlier, and second day she was late. nice choice."

"Rawte, just because you are the owl who dont sleep ever doesnt mean none else do." Rathore answered, still looking at his phone, "maybe she over slept. divert your attention from her and do some work, will you?"

Rawte went away furiously and he sighed. nowadays he is always searching a way to irritate him more than earlier, and it was not helping the self control of his. he now made his mind, and about to dial her number, when someone tapped his shoulder. he turned and sighed in relief, it was her.

"where were you?" he asked concerned. she gestured toward his cabin and walked toward it, he followed her there.

"I went into Shivaji Hospital," Rathore's mouth was open in shock and he was about to ask why, when she kept a green color file on his table, "and i got the patient's file from record room."

"How?"

"thats not necessary." she brushed it aside, "the main thing is, two days later the guy who was till now clearing all the bills of this patient, will come again."

"you are pretty much confident about it." Rathore narrowed his eyes, not getting the most obvious part.

"Two days later, that is the 6th, Sameer. every month this guy come on the 6th day to submit the money." she reminded him and he remembered.

"So, tomorrow we will go and catch him." he made his mind, "i will tell my informers, and we will inform the hospital authority to help us to nab the culprit."

Riya nodded at this, taking deep breath. so tomorrow, the first step toward a shadow. hope they will be successful. Rathore suddenly remembered something and looked at her, curious.

"Where were you when i called you?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. She immediately crossed her fingers, cooking up some stories.

"i was about to reach office, but took a turn and went to Hospital."

the story was convincing so he didnt ask more. he smiled, tilting his head to her, "Thanks for the help."

"anytime."

Discussion room, some hours later, ETF head quarters 3rd floor

"The main suspect is confessing his crime, Rawte, what else do you need now?" Barked a totally pissed Rathore, and others watched him silently. Riya's eyes were fixed in the table where Rawte's reflection was dropping, and Rawte gave his signature i dont give a damn look.

"he is not the criminal. you can be satisfied with the confession but i am not." He replied and Rathore looked around, not convinced by his second in command's answer, "he is confessing because he is trying to save someone close to him."

"His lunatic mother." it came from Riya and every eyes went on her. she was still looking on the table, particularly his reflection, "he is trying to save his lunatic mother."

"How you are so sure?" asked Aisha looking not convinced of this thoery.

"Wow! now a criminal psychologist will tell us who is victim and who not." Rawte's voice was too mocking. Rathore had opened his mouth to counter, but he saw Riya shaking her head ever so slightly, silently telling him not to answer.

"You realise i am actually agreeing to you, dont you?" Asked Riya still looking on the table. Rawte's jaw clenched before answering.

''i dont need your agreement for a case."

the words were just a shell. bottom line was i dont need you for any agreement.

"Too bad. i am now in team, so deal with it." She now tear her gaze from his reflection and stared straight into his black eyes, "if you cant, then keep quiet."

They shoot daggers into each other as Rathore smirked. others looked at each other, silently patting Riya's back for answering like this.

the rest of the meeting passed in a strange silence. the silence was actually a anticipation of something big, everyone can feel it. the juniors rather hurried for leaving the room after meeting ended and Rathore called it a day. Rathore was delibarately staying back, but Riya gave him a look, and he left.

she didnt mean to answer like that. it was just the case. when the team were interrogating the prime suspect who's wife got murdered in their house, she saw the suspect's body language. there was none else for him in the whole world except for his mother and wife. he didnt have any motive for killing too. the wife paid just because he had kept his lunatic mother in the same house. deep down he feel himself the culprit of her killing, and he didnt want his mother to be involved in this. thats why he confessed falsely about his crime. Riya can feel that, a child's love for its mother. childs will do this for their parents, they will do anything to protect them. she was thinking all these, and Rawte obviously was not helping. before she can control herself, she found herself snapping right back to him and shooting daggers.

she got up from her seat and found he was literally blocking the door. the office was totally empty like yesterday, and she suddenly didnt feel too much courageous anymore.

"Can you shift aside?" she asked in her cold voice. he didnt answer, just glared at her.

"what was you saying about me keeping quiet?" he said gritting his teeth. she sighed, thinking to end this once for all, knowing perfectly it wont end.

"Look, i get it. i know you dont like me to be here, you hate the face of me and things like that." she observed her voice didnt sound cold and composed anymore, it felt tired, and she even didnt try to cover it up, "But can you honestly dont try to put a show infront of the team? you dont care what people think of you but i surely do. i dont want to handle people's whispers and speculations that why their second in command being so different with the new girl."

"Oh, you do?" His voice was mocking and she closed her eyes in frustration, clutching her bag tightly, "you care what people think of you? since when? i thought all you care about people's status and family names."

she felt like as if he slapped her. she felt her eyes filling but she composed herself, counting one to ten in mind.

''its a good thing that you know i dont like your presence here, so why dont you pack your bags and leave?" he demanded.

"I cant." she answered, trying to compose herself and getting back that cold voice again, "and i wont. deal with it."

"So deal with my behavior too." he answered, as if challenging her. she narrowed her eyes, suddenly feeling too much emptiness inside her. she adjusted her speck, looked down to floor, and just moved a foot toward door, when he put himself between her and door, totally blocking her.

"What do you want?" she yelled in frustration. all she want to do is to walk out from here, away from him and cry in her house but this man, this man is.so.stubborn. he wont let her go.

"Answers." he replied, the intensity of his eyes suddenly increased very much.

"Too bad, you are not getting any."

"why i am not surprised?" his voice was harsh, his eyes spitting venom into her, "You were always the coward, always the person who ran away. you did the same back then, you doing the same now too."

"Yes! Yes i am a coward! satisfied?" she could not handle anymore and yelled, the bottled up frustration now getting a relief, "why should i answer to you for anything? who are you in my life? why you even expect any answers from me?"

"i dont expect anything from you." he looked disgusted, "i have ways to get them."

"what will you do? torture me? force me to talk?" her temper was rising rapidly, her breathing getting quick with each passing seconds. the earlier tears were long forgotten, now her eyes also held fire that can give solid competition to him. a lone voice in her mind said to calm down, this much anger is not good, but she didnt listen to it, "go ahead. do what you want. i wont open my mouth, happy? did it hurt your male ego? are you thinking to slap me? not a new thing for you, is it?"

He was stunned to see her. he cant remember if he had seen her this much angry ever. her eyes were red with anger, her breathing were going very fast. there was something very wrong about the way she was behaving, because he was the one who had a right to remain angry not Her! still, he could not bring himself to say something more to her, as if his tongue tied because of excessive anger. a voice inside him even said to him to not to drag this matter now and let her go. then she mentioned about the slap part, and he just froze in his place.

there are very rare things in his life about what he regret very much. the slap was one of them. once he had made a big mistake to raise his hand on her, and till now he is regretting it. maybe he can never forgive her for her deeds, but he cant forgive himself too for that incident.

the both were in silence. Riya shooting daggers at him while he was just staring at her. they both heard the phone ringing in somewhere and she snapped out of it, picking up her phone which was in her jeans. she saw the number, and Arjun saw the transformation happening right infront of his eyes. her earlier anger vanished in a second, she took quick breath to calm her down, her whole body relaxed in a strange way. she pulled her hair in order to calm herself down, or to hurt herself he didnt know. she made up her mind, and then pressed the answer button.

she continued to talk in the phone, heading toward the door and he shifted. she didnt even look at him, went right past him. he saw her vanishing behind those empty desks and glass wall, leaving the office premises.

as soon as she left, Rawte walked to the table and banged his fist on it. luckily the glass didnt break, but the sound continued to echo in the empty room, reminding him of those memories which he had burried deep inside him. he clenched his fist, and turned, leaving the room. 

Two days later, Shivaji Medical college and hospital

The men of ACP Rathore were dressed in civil clothes, lurking around the entrance of hospital near reception. Rathore himself was standing near the reception, while Riya was pacing up and down, her eyes shifting from the civil dressed officers to Rathore.

They had informed the hospital authority and they were also helping them. the receptionist girl she had clear instruction to signal the team by nodding head if any person come to clear bill of this particular patient. they were now waiting for above 1 hour, still no sign of the man.

Riya prayed in her mind so that thsi man arrive fast and they are able to catch him. this felt bizarre, but not to her. her praying to god not only because of her faith in it, but also for herself and her Friend. Sameer needs something, something strong clue, so that it can make him believe totally that they are not chasing a shadow anymore. she had observe him often to question his own judgement, and it wont take them far if he question his own ability. She also need a distraction, she could not keep her mind off from a certain colleague of her from past 2 days, and it didnt help her anxiety too. she is here for work, she always chant this mantra, but finding very hard to stop her mind to think about him. she didnt mean to answer back that night, it just came out of nowhere. the phone call saved her, or else she surely would have make a scene, she thought sighing in relief.

she felt Rathore signalling to her and saw a guy was now standing near reception. the receptionist nodded her head ever so lightly and everyone was attentive at once. so this was the guy, Riya thought as she stopped moving and saw Rathore going toward him. the man didnt see him at first, but Rathore whispered something in his ear, and next moment he hold his shoulder like a long lost friend, and both of them walked toward the door. everyone else followed them outside, and Rathore dragged him to the parking lot, nearly throwing him inside a normal looking SUV, and stared at him.

"I didnt recognize you, who are you people?" shouted the guy as he looked around. all policemen were looking at him like they will roast him alive, and the guy gulped.

"I want to know just one thing," said Rathore in his usual no nonsense tone, "and i will only ask once. who is sending money through you?"

the man looked startled, then composed himself, "i dont know what you are talking about."

and that was a bad move. One of the policemen pulled his hair so tightly that it brought tears in his eyes. he yelled in pain, but as the parking lot was unusually quiet none came to even check.

"If we even kill you here none's gonna find out, so start speaking." the same policemen said. Riya, who was not used to this type of rough interrogations for years, looked around, not able to see the man's pained face. 

the man looked around and saw there was no exit point for him, so he started telling truth. he said there was a man who one day called and told him to deliver the money to this hospital. after finishing the work, the man had left money for him in a garbage bin near his house. since then he is delivering the money for that caller, not once he had seen his face or know for whom he is working. 

"When you go and pick your money from garbage bin?" asked Riya.

"As soon as i finish here." the man gulped. the policemen looked at each other, and silently decided to go with him. everyone sat in the SUV and went to this man's house, in a famous chawl area of Mumbai.

the SUV had barely stopped near the garbage bin as instructed by the man, the policemen saw a guy was keeping a bag carefully in the bin. he saw a police SUV stopped near him and the guy from hospital in it, and he broke into a run. the policemen and Rathore ran near him, and Riya also followed them, feeling little out of breath as it was out of habit.

after some 5 minutes, they were able to catch the guy, but to their badluck the man had swallowed something, which Rathore suspected was poison. the man could not say anything, and he breathed his last on the road.

"Dammit!" Rathore yelled, clenching and unclenching his fist to stop himself to break something. even RIya was dissappointed, but there was nothing they can do anymore. she bend down, ran her eyes on the dead suspects body, and checked his wallet, nothing important. the Rathore declared they will send the body to ETF for autopsy, and assured Riya that Liza will keep her mouth shut about this body to others. Riya checked the numbers and messages in the man's phone as she and Rathore walked toward ETF SUV, leaving other police officers near the body.

"Sir, what about him?" asked the police officer who had pulled the man's hair during interrogation. the man gulped, looking toward everyone's face in desperation.

"check if he has any crime record. if no, then let him go." Rathore turned to the man after ordering police men, "I want you to keep your mouth shut about this. You didnt see anything, you didnt meet us, got it?"

the man was more than happy to follow this order. he nodded his head vigorously, clearly happy to get out of this situation.

Later in the day, ETF office

The fantastic four were enjoying their 'extra ordinery day'. well clearly its one of those rare amazing days, when the chief, for whom punctuality is like Hitler for Nazis, himself is late. The case is nearly solved, only after they make the earlier victim cofess, who will arrive soon in office. the team was waiting for him, Rawte sir as usual busy in some files about some case. Shree was busy to spill the infos he got from his 'personal research.'

S: Ha! were not we speculating these three know each other? it turned out absolutely right! These three were in same academy and in same batch.

L: if these three were in same batch then its nearly impossible that they didnt see each other's face, right specky?

S: you are turning out quite smart, Miss forensic expert!

L: pleasure is all mine, specky! (to which Shree scowled)

A: Ok guys, enough! So what if these three were in same batch? it doesnt proof anything!

L: Aisha! dont you see? maybe something happened in past, thats why Arjun sir give those angry glares to Riya.

C: err, i think Arjun sir's face is like that! he glare to everyone, even to Rathore sir.

S: i feel like i am watching clash of the titans when these two glare at each other.

L: Some day i want to see these two blast each other.

S: Liza, if you are so much into adventure sports then why dont you go and do scuba diving? or sky diving? why you want to see our lives in danger? I dont want ever to witness these two's bursting, cause then there wont be any ETF office next day.

A: these two are our bosses, human beings, not atomic bombs that they will demolish an entire building! guys you are too much.

C: Aisha, are you mad? these two are grenades, time bomb! like Dal makhni in boiling temparature.

S: here we go, the foody had started!

maybe these four had continued like this, but at the same time entered The chief, Rathore sir along with the new entry (and rumoured GF) Riya. they had barely took some steps inside, when the earlier victim entered the office with three other policemen.

"Liza!" called out Rathore sir, and the fantastic four came toward them. Rawte threw his file on table and walked toward the interrogation room, like he had not even noticed the chief entering the office.

Rathore signaled everyone to go toward interrogation room and took Liza in a corner. one look at Liza's determined face, and none can say she was the same person who was till some seconds ago gossiping about this very chief. when it comes to work, she is reliable and very much serious, thats why she is here.

Rathore explained Liza about the body and strictly instructed not to disclose about this body and its autopsy reports to anyone, even not a slightest discussion with others. Liza nodded, promising she wont say anything about it to anyone, and walked out of the office, already heading for her work.

As Rathore walked inside the interrogation room, he saw everyone including Riya had cornered the suspect. this guy is a tough nut to crack, he thought and pushed the door, entering. everyone gave him a look, and Rawte looked as if he had not noticed him entering.

"we have every bit of evidence that you are not the killer. so better if you spill the real killer's name." Thundered Rawte, but the man looked less troubled.

 "Till yesterday you guys were saying you have proofs which point toward me, now this? i am telling you that i am killer, then whats the trouble?" the man argued. nothing worked, scolding, sweet talk, sensible talk, nothing, and torturing suspects was against ETF's official rule, that too when this guy is clearly not the killer.

"You know Shreekant," Said Riya finally, looking intently at the suspect who didnt show any movement to let know he was listening, "when your computer have hardware problems, how the technician fix it?"

"How?" Shree asked in puzzlement. he was into softweres, not hardwere, and he had no idea why Riya is telling him this in between of a interrogation. Rawte looked irritated but he was also listening, frowing, and Rathore looked curious along with Chotu and Aisha.

"They first take out CPU, then separate each wires, drives and screws. in short, they do total autopsy of a computer." she finished, her eyes still on suspect. even the suspect looked curious.

"Imagine, if human were computers, and if human had hardware problems, what will the technician use in place of screw drivers?" Her voice went cold and she watched in satisfaction the suspect was sweating little. Rathore's mouth twitched in amusement and he observed this drama to unfold silently.

"Guns?" answered Chotu, still not getting the joke, "or maybe knives?"

"very good Chotu!" Shree now got the joke and played along, giving a look to Riya, "i prefer knives more. its so handy, cut deep down, and less trouble."

"Now imagine," Aisha spoke, glaring at the suspect, "if we become technician and our suspect become computer, then how efficiently we will do his autopsy, eh?"

"And we are not that good technician too.'' piped in Rathore, "imagine the computer's state. tch tch tch."

the suspect now got the picture and shivered little in fear, "you cant do this to me."

"actually, we can." Rawte gave him a look, "trust us, we are hell of powerful persons."

the man looked at everyone, maybe hoping someone will soon shout 'Joke!' and this nightmare will finish, but nothing like that happened. he got that ETF were serious, so he spilled the beans that his lunatic mother killed his wife and he took the blame for her.

and like that, another case closed.

"Nice one." Whispered Rathore as they came out of Interrogation room, "computers and hardwares. fantastic." he could not stop grinning, and had to look here and there to hide his grin.

"Someone is very amused at it." Riya said in a light tease voice and Rathore mock glared at her. in response she just chuckled. Rathore went to his cabin, still trying to stiffle his grin, others went to finish their paperworks, and suddenly she remembered something.

"Shreekant!" she called and Shree stopped. she signaled him, and he came to her, telling Chotu to carry on. they went to the balcony, and Riya prepared herself to speak with him.

"I need your help." she said, and bit her lip as she was not sure how will Shree react, "and i want you not to tell about it to anyone."

"sure, what is it?" Shree frowned but nevertheless looked curious. Riya took out a mobile phone, the phone of that dead man back in the chawl, and handed it over to him.

"i want deleted datas from this phone. every thing, from pictures to call list, contacts, everything." she observed him, half expecting him to say no, but she was relieved when the frown vanished from him face and he looked at her confidently.

"Sure. i will give it as soon as i can, is that ok?"

"thank you so much!" she exclaimed in relief and Shree smiled, "but, like i said, dont mention it to anyone."

"you got it."

as the case was over, everyone was engrossed in the never ending piles of paper works. they called it a day around 8, but Shree stay behind to work on the mobile phone, making an excuse his work was not finished yet. He looked around to make sure he was alone, and then started his work. he was the best IT expert of department, so it was a piece of cake for him to get back the deleted datas. he put all datas in a pen drive, and sighed, satisfied with himself that he finished the work. he gathered everything and put it on his bag, then started to leave. to his astonishment, he found Liza near gates, yawning loudly and waiting for cab.

"Specky!" she was also shocked to see him. it was around 11 and she had to stay for autopsy of that body. she was not expecting anyone this time.

"What are you doing here so late?" asked Shree to her, and she cooked up a story, "paper work. they dont end ever! and you?"

"same." Shree also lied, feeling guilty for some unknown reasons, "Paper work."

they stood awkwardly, their minds screaming at them for lying, but someone else had forbif them to share anything. after what felt like ages, they decided enough is enough.

"I was checking a body!" said Liza, nearly shouting.

"I was checking a mobile phone." at the same time shouted Shree. they stared at each other in shock, mouth open in O shape.

"Body?"

"Mobile phone?" they asked again together and frowned. as the cats were out of bags, so there was no point of secrecy anymore. they said to each other how Rathore sir and Riya told them to keep the work secret, respectively, but ofcourse they could not. instead of being worried, these two were much more relaxed to telling each other truth, which didnt feel wrong to them.

"Why i am having a feeling this body and mobile phone is linked?" they started to walk out of ETF gate as they spoke.

"I was thinking same too. Maybe the phone belongs to the victim." Liza replied, thinking, "by the way, what you got from the phone?"

"nothing too important. Riya said to get back all the deleted datas, like contacts, pictures, call lists. i got them all, doesnt look anything interesting though."

"What are these two upto?" Liza frowned, then all of a sudden started to smile, "You know specky? i think i should shift to investigation department. i can be a good detective, what say?"

"Ha ha!" Shree rolled his eyes, but inside agreed to her. she is intelligent, she always was. if she is serious she can become a good officer too.

they got a cab soon afterwards, and as they had to go in same direction they both sat inside it. the cab driver started it and they resumed their earlier conversation.

"so what you got from the body?" asked Shree.

"The man consumed poison, cyanide to be precise. he is around 34, well built. there is a tattoo on his shoulder, and i didnt get anything from his wallet. so less chances of knowing the guy's identity." Liza answered.

"I think Rathore sir knows who is the man. after all he brought the body, eh?" replied Shree, still frowing, "and if i am not mistaking even Riya is involved in all these."

"You know what specky?" Liza said a little bit excited voice, "I think Rathore sir is doing some secret investigation, thats why he recruited Riya. imagine, what else will be the reason that he will recruit a officer who had left department 2 years ago? there had to be a reason, no?"

"what investigation you recon?" Shree asked, curious. Liza was suddenly serious.

"Wrong question, specky. the real question is, if Arjun sir know about this."

Next day

"What the. .?" Said Riya in an irritated voice as her car suddenly broke down out of nowhere. she can remember her caretaker had said the car had recently went to service centre, so she didnt have any idea why its behaving like jerk all of a sudden. she looked around the place where she was forced to stop, and groaned. no taxi or car is visible as far as she can see. she came out of her car, and opened the bonnet. 

her father is a big car fanatic. Riya had practically grown in her father's garage, where he used to work on cars in his pass time. she know bits and pieces of car engine and how to fix minor problems. she saw the wires and devices of engine and reached the conclusion- a wire had disconnected.

she checked her watch, and saw today she was again going to be late. in hurry, she took out the faulty wire and pulled it, and in response her whole body jerked as the current passed into her. her fingers automatically left the wire and she jumped away from it, trying to calm herself down.

"Trying to become mechanic?" came a cold voice from somewhere and she looked up. she didnt know if she should be happy seeing HIM infront of her, or become nervous.

"People should not do things in which they have no experience." he bend on the bonnet and looked carefully. Riya could not help but say a bit too loudly "Carefull!" to him as he was about to touch the faulty wire.

"Car needs mechanic, and none of us is a mechanic." He continued in the same cold detached voice, pulling away his hand. Riya opened her mouth to reply.

"I could have handled, just a faulty wire."

"That i can see." his voice was sarcastic. he crossed his arms on chest, looking at her intently. she felt like a guilty child who's parent is staring at her.

"Do i have to give you special invitation or you will come to my SUV all by yourself?" he said after a while, his voice suddenly turning angry. she was shocked that he is offering her lift, but she didnt want to stay too close to him. that night's outburst was still fresh in her mind.

"No thanks. i will manage." she replied, and with a stab in heart saw he uncrossed his arms, glared her to death, clenched his jaw and walked away from her. he banged the door close as he went inside and drove away, leaving her alone.

as soon as he was away, Riya cursed herself for being tongue tied infront of her each and every time. she pushed all these thoughts in the corner of her head, took her bag and called her caretaker to pick up the car from here. still speaking to the phone, she started to walk ahead, occassionally looking behind to see if any taxi or car coming.

nearly 10 minutes passed and she had walked half an kilomotre, still no sign of any taxi or car. maybe today she had to reach office by walking, she thought to herself, when her phone rang again. it was Sameer.

"Where are you?" he asked, and she explained it all.

"Should i pick you up? where are you?" he asked. Riya thought its a very good idea, but he must be busy. she really should not trouble him, there are already many things going in his head.

"No, i will manage." she replied, and assured him she will manage. the conversation had barely ended and she was about to cut the call, when she felt someone or something banged into her, and next moment she was lying on the road, feeling a buring sensation in her palm. she looked  and saw her mobile lay in front of her in pieces. before she can make out head or tail of what is going on, she heard the same cold detached arrogant voice echoing in her ear, but this time it was sounding too much angry.

"Are you blind or what? Where are your eyes when you are walking on road? Didnt you learn not to speak on phone when you are walking on road? What if something happened?"

she looked at her in the same confused expression. seeing this Arjun, if possible, become more angry.

"A truck was about to hit you. if i was not in time. . ." he didnt finish his words but glared more as her eyes widen in surprise, "but of course you didnt realise, did you? with whom you are talking, with your special friend?"

his guess was totally bulls eye, but her confusion vanished and her mask was back on her face. her confused stare turned into coldness and her face become too serious. she looked away from him, gathered the pieces of her phone and bag, then stood up. she can feel his eyes the whole time on her.

"Thank you." she said in that cold detached voice, and then started to walk away. it was the least Arjun Rawte can take. he took some steps to her and make her stop by holding her arm. she stopped effectively and turned, raising her eye on his action.

"Sit in the SUV." he ordered, and then his eyes fell on her palm. she followed his stare, and then she saw it. the burning sensation on her palm was because the skin was scratched when he pushed her on road, and blood was slowly coming out. he looked apologetic, and took out his hankerchief, tieing it around her palm.

he was so busy in his work that he didnt realise the cold mask from her face had vanished from her face and now she was admiring him. if she can, she would have sincerely told him thanks, with that beautiful dimple smile of hers, and maybe she would have sqeezed his palm back for helping her out. but she did none of it, and Arjun will never know she wanted to do so. he might be a very good officer who can see things past many layers of lies and secrecy, he is yet to see past her. he is yet to see the mask she put on for him, its the same as him. for outside world, they both show they are people with iron armour, nothing can make them feel pain, but they both are wrong. the biggest weakness for them were their emotions.

he dragged her to his SUV and she didnt even protest. suddenly she felt tired, and it has nothing to do with the walking or two near accidents. it was as if she was tired of herself. she looked out and hoped they reach ETF as soon as they can. she wanted to be busy, so that thoughts she had put in the deepest part in her mind wont come out and trouble her.

People say we cant do two things together, but alas, how wrong they were! they should have seen Rawte now. he was both driving the SUV and looking at her. the accident magnet, he was calling her that in mind right now. when he spotted her near car, trying to fix it as if she is the ultimate mechanic of era, he saw how she jerked away from car and realised she got a shock. how he wanted to run to her and blast her for her immaturity, but he could not risk his mask of indifference to slip, can he? so instead he went for the sarcastic route, and offered her lift, not showing he really wanted to help. she refused, pushing his ego right back in its place, and he left, fuming. he could not believe he felt even sympathetic for HER and wanted to help HER! it was so out of character for Arjun Rawte, who had spend so many years not caring about anyone or treating his once upon a time best friend like his biggest enemy. it was a bad move, he now thought. he should not have leave her alone, he should have dragged her to his SUV and should have taken off back then. he didnt want to imagine what would have happen if he didnt decide to come back for her and saw a truck was coming straight to her. he pushed her from harm's way, but of course she was not unscratched, the hankerchief tied around her palm was the biggest example.

ETF office came too early for him. maybe he was searching in his mind to ask her, to tell her anything, less sarcastic or hurtful, or maybe he was enjoying this silence. whatever it is, when she went outside of SUV after saying him a quick thank you, not meeting his eyes for once, he could not help but feel dissappointed. he was shocked at his own admission, and followed her inside, still confused with his own thought. 

though she had walked ahead of him, but he saw she still had not reached the 3rd floor. she entered after some 5 minutes, and he kept wondering why she was late. But he was Arjun Rawte, the man who had mastered the art of detachment, so he could not allow himself to think more about anyone, especially that girl. the next moment every unwanted thoughts had vanished from his mind, and he was looking forward to the day, for a new case.

But seemed like today even he wanted he cant shook off the particular girl named Riya Mukherjee from his mind. she appeared as intriguing and mysterious as she had appealed to him years ago in academy. she sat quietly opposite him on the same chair she had sat yesterday, he then noticed the hankerchief was missing from her palm. now if she was trying to show her bravery by showing off her injury or simply didnt want to draw attention to herself, was a mystery, but he didnt like it a bit. he even thought to tell her to go to medicine room, but his indifference attitude didnt allow him. she was writing something in a file, maybe finishing paperwork, her brows forwing in concentration. several seconds passed like that, when all of a sudden Shree came to her and signaled her to come outside.

maybe Shree had thought it was safe if they talk outside the room where Arjun sir was sitting, but he forgot one thing, glass walls can be a burden to the ears but certainly not eyes. so when Shree was giving the mobile phone to Riya and proudly smiling at the awe of her face that he managed to extract all datas so quickly, this historic moment was captured by Rawte. his analytical mind quickly did a observation, the phone was too cheap, so in no way it was HERs. she had obviously gave it to Shree, but the question is, why? and who is the owner of this?

Rathore was coming straight toward the discussion room, when he noticed the room was empty except Rawte. he looked around and saw his team engaged in various works. he signaled them all and they all followed him, entering behind him in the room. they had barely sat on their seats, when Rathore announced that they have a new case.

"Or a situation, to be precise." he said, pushing a button from a remote and next moment the big LCD screen in the room had come alive. there was news going on about a hostage situation in a bank.

"Team, get ready. We are breaking into there." Rathore spoke as every eyes were on the TV screen. the team's face filled with determination and they stood up, preparing themselves for the battle.

"what about the plan?" Asked Riya. this will be her first experience in these type of situations post her come back. before Rathore can answer, Rawte said in his same cold bored tone.

"get inside, and kill the bad guys. thats the plan." and with that, he walked away, banging the door behind him. the team gave each other look, then they also went outside.

"I wanted a quick word with you." Rathore approached Riya and she looked at him, "I think it will be safe if you stay outside with rest of the policemen.''

"I can still shoot, you know." she smiled little, "atleast i wont put your team's life in danger."

"its your team too." Rathore corrected, "and i was not worried about that. i am talking with the best shooter of my batch. i am asking if you think you will be fine there? it will feel out of habit."

"I think i will be fine." she assured and he sighed in relief. making up his mind, he gave her a bossy look.

"then what? lets go and kill the bad guys."

2 hours later, SBI, Thane

"I told you it was a bad idea to send her with us." an irritated Rawte spoke to Rathore, to which Rathore glared at him.

"She got hurt, not you, so stop eating my head and let me help her, will you?" he barked as he helped Riya to walk toward the ambulence. Rawte glared back, but kept his mouth shut.

The shoot out was going well, no casualities except Riya getting shot in her arm. the bullet just went past her arm so the injury was less but there was a lot a of blood. when Arjun heard she will be coming with them he didnt like it and strongly opposed it, but of course as he is not the chief his opinion didnt matter. he should have feel a victory to see her getting hurt, but he was feeling something else, maybe pain?

Truth to be told, Riya could not hold the gun properly in her hand. her left palm had those scratches when Rawte pushed her on road to save her from a truck, so it was paining a lot when she tried to hold the gun. the shooter could not have shoot her, but she didnt have a chance to block him. she just dived and let the bullet pass her arm, if she had not moved the bullet could have entered in her chest. 

"I am fine, go back to team and see if all is fine." Riya told to Rathore as he helped her to get inside the ambulence. after several arguments he went back to the team after closing the door shut. the ambulence started to move and Riya saw her injury properly for the first time. of course its hurting, but she thinks she will be fine.

she was startled when all of a sudden the door of moving ambulence opened all by itself and Rawte jumped inside. he shut the door again and gave her a cold stare. she could not believe her eyes that he just jumped into a moving van, and she knew she must have looked stupid but she could not close her O shaped mouth.

"Close your mouth, or fly will enter." he said and she immediately closed her mouth, feeling stupid as usual. she was dying to ask him why he was here, but she didnt dare. she behaved as if he was not there, trying not to look at him or to her injury. she didnt want him to think her as cry baby who cant handle a bullet hole in her arm.

her indifference irritated Rawte to no extent. she was looking like there was no injury on her body, or like he is not sitting just opposite her. he so wanted to blast on her, but why will he do it? he dont care about her, there was no relation between them. his mind was saying something else though, it said he dont want her to think he care, to which he glared at his own mind. his logical mind also say stupid things sometimes.

the journey to the hospital was totally opposite to the journey of ETF. there was no comforting silence between them, but was anticipation. Riya was trying hard not to ask him anything and he anticipated that she will ask, but nothing happened. the ambulence stopped moving, a sign that hospital had arrived, and they both came out. Riya made a groaning sound aloud as she saw ward boys were coming with a stretcher for her, to which even Rawte's mouth twitched. he quickly composed it and gave the ward boys the same cold stare he give to rest of world, and said no need for stretcher, as she got only shot in arm, she can still walk. Riya sighed in relief at it and said thanks to him in her mind, and both headed for the doctor's cabin. the doctor checked her injury, prescribed her medicines and then the nurse overtook her.

As the bullet had just passed her arm so the nurse started to bandage her only. Riya closed her eyes and clutched tight the bed sheet under her as the dettol came in contact with her injury, but she didnt shout out loud to embarrass her further. she wished in mind to be it over soon, and breath in- out. the pain was too much to handle, she had no idea this will hurt this much.

"This will hurt a little." The nurse said gently, to which Riya mumble to herself, "hurt more, eh? awesome." 

she felt the nurse pushing something in her and next moment she didnt feel the pain near her injury at all. the nurse just gave her anasthetia, and she was relieved at it. she tear her gaze from her injury as the nurse prepared herself to stich it, and met HIS gaze instead. he was looking at him in his usual way, cold hard intense stare. the question that why he came with her to hospital was surfacing again in her mind, and she didnt look away from him.

"What are you staring at?" She said in irritated tone, which was actually her embarrassment that he witnessed her pain, "seeing a wound getting stiched for the first time?"

"You are a accident magnet." he answered in calm voice, "three accidents in one day, i wonder how you managed to live all these years."

she mumbled something about having a bad day, but her inside was getting hollow. was she really living all these years? she didnt exactly feel years passing behind her, as she was stuck in same time. she snapped out of it as the nurse announced her work in done, and saw her injury is perfectly bandaged. she said thanks to her and walked away, leaving the hospital behind her.

she called Rathore and informed him word by word about what doctors said and prescribed. he forbid her to enter office today, to which she groaned yet again. sometimes he is so overprotective that she cant help but roll her eye at him. she cut the call, and turned to Rawte.

"Thanks for coming." she said, "Bye."

"Heading for home?'' he asked, and she nodded to it.

"thought so. your Boy friend sounded worried about you." his voice was casual but it hit her at the right place. to his amazement she neither looked angry or offended at it. she just sighed like she was very much tired, and closed her eyes.

"Arjun." she said in low voice, and he felt his heart skipping a bit. she had called him first time by his name after her entry in ETF. it was always Sir, or nothing sometimes. they hardly interract with each other in office.

"He was never my Boy friend. we were, are and always will be best of friends. He is not my love of life, neither i am his. so you can really stop this Boy friend- Girl friend business."

That he was shocked would be understatement. for starting, he didnt expect her to be so calm and explaining it to him. she was shouting so much that other night when he barely picked up old memories, seeing her like this was completely different. also, he always suspect them to be in relationship, they way they behaved with each other, they made nearly half the academy  to think this. he was not the only one. before he can make up his mind and retort something, though he had no idea what he was probably going to say after this, she was going away from him, her shoulder slumped in defeat. he was torn between to go back to ETF and go behind her, but he preferred to stay rooted in the spot and watch her disappearing as she took a cab and left for her home.