Arjun FF: Reshimbandh [Chapter 13- page 15] - Page 10

Thanks for the news dear

I was about to ask you took a long break, 😃

Will be waiting for the upcoming update

Chapter 7

TW : Strong/offensive language, Alcohol abuse

Rawte house, Lonavala

Next morning,

The doorbell rang several times. Aisha opened the door and was greeted by a drunk Neha.

“Good morning babey!” Neha stepped in and stumbled on Aisha.

Aisha held her, “Neha, what is this scar on your face?”

“What scar?” Neha asked drunkenly.

“This, on your cheekbone” she said and touched it gently, “seems like an old one”

“Well, you know, these men, all baastards- they all want things in their way, if you don’ do what they want, they don’t mind scarring you for life,” Neha ranted, “So, my dear women, do not trust these men, they are all bl00dy baastards. Don’ trust them, never ever trust those who look all good, act all good, they ruin you like no other. Bl00dy-”

“Neha, calm down. I’ll take you to your room.”

“Aish!! Women are the God’s most beautiful creation, their lips, so soft… Aish, ever kissed a girl?”

“No,” Aisha said, looking around uncomfortably.

“Woman, you don’ know what you’re missing. If you ever feel like, I’m around,” She winked, “Also, fun fact- I made out wit' a girl last night,” Neha said grinning widely.

“Okay.” Aisha looked at Arjun who was glaring Neha.

“OKAY? Such a dry response? Helllooo everyone!!! I MADE OUT WITH A WOMAN LAST NIGHT. MY FRIEND, also A MARRIED WOMAN. Are y'all not excited?” She looked around to find everyone look at her awkwardly. “It was amazing, FYI!”

Arjun took a deep breath and said in a seemingly calm voice, “A married woman? Neha? Are you in your senses?”

“Yes! We were. It was all very consent-y. Why are you so worried? I didn’t f--k your wife!” Neha said nonchalantly.

Arjun spilled his tea, “You didn’t wha-?”

“Neha, let's just go to your room. Please shush.” Aisha tried silencing her.

Neha stopped mid-way as she heard her phone buzzing, “Is that my phony?” She picked up her phone without looking, “Hey Honey!”

“Thank god you’re not dead,” Vikram sighed, “hon- how drunk are you?”

“Vik! I’ve been dead inside for long, but thanks for your concern. I’ve had some 4ish bottles of finely aged vodka sooo pretty drunk I guess- pretty and drunk, pretty...”

“Call back when you’re sober.” He disconnected the call.

“I’m always sobe-ok, bye.” Neha kept her phone down, “Now, I need to pee- bye folks.” She managed to reach the common washroom near the kitchen, stumbling a few times on a perfectly levelled floor.

Ten minutes later, she came out of the washroom, half-wet, “Holy f--king sh--! Why does that tap not mention that it also turns on the shower? Ah-my head-kill me man!” she looked at around, “How? When did I come back?”

“Half-an hour ago.” Sakshi said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Kaki! Make me a strong cup of black tea with lots of ginger and lemon.” She sat on the couch and ruffled her hair, “my goldilocks’ all wet,” glanced at her reflection in the mirror, “you’re an ugly bitch!” threw a vase and shattered the glass.

“The problem is you, not the mirror.” Arjun said curtly, “Now get up and pack your stuff, we’re leaving in 10 minutes.”

“My hair will take an hour to dry. Also, I haven’t even packed my stuff, another hour at least. Also, why are you shouting at me? What did I do?”

“What did I do?” Arjun mimicked, “you-”

“Neha,” Sameer cut him short, “We have to leave ASAP, just pack whatever you need and we leave, okay?”

“Alrighty.” She went up to her room, packed her bag in five minutes and came back. “We leave after I finish my tea?” she sipped her tea and checked her phone, “OMG!! 30 missed calls in last 4 hours, how desperate did you have to be, doc?”

“Team, let’s leave.” Sameer said.

“I need to make an important call.” Neha interrupted.

“You can do that in the car. Don’t waste our time.” Arjun said and left.

~

Later that night,

Rawte Mansion, Mumbai,

After a very silent dinner,

Neha, “Bhaiya, what is it? Why are you not talking to me?”

“You shouldn’t be asking that.” Arjun said without looking at her, putting the plates in sink.

“Such drama-queen, now tell me, what did I do? Did I...Did I say something I shouldn't have?” She asked casually, “Please tell me!”

“If you can’t handle drinks, don’t drink. Do not get that drunk again, at least not in front of your colleagues. I don’t know about you but I have a reputation.”

“Wait a minute. What do you mean ‘I have a reputation’? I don’t have any?” She sighed, “I don’t drink because it’s fun, I drink to- never mind, you won’t understand. Let it be.”

“I won’t understand? Did you even try telling?”

“I don’t want this conversation, let’s just not-”

“Neha, what is it that you are hiding?”

“Fine! I made it up, that entire story was fabricated.”

Arjun frowned, “How did you get that scar?”

“Went on hiking, fell down. Now stop asking me about it. Goodnight, sleep tight!” She went into her room and closed it with a loud thud.

She washed her face with cold water and cleaned the makeup, stared at her scar.

‘Too proud of your pretty face, aren’t you?’ He scorned.
‘Not really-’ before she could finish, she felt a sharp pain beneath her left eye. She looked at him in horror, he had slashed a broken wine bottle across her face.
She held his hand and hit the broken bottle into his chest with all her might.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her trance, “Vik! I was waiting for your call. What were you high on?”

“Nothing, I was just worried that you might be in some sort of danger or worse, others might be in danger because of you.” Vikram replied.

“30 calls are a lot. Did you not consider the probability of time, like I could be sleeping?”

“You can’t miss that many calls, and I know how you sleep.”

“Damnn, you know me too well.”

“Next week, I’ll be coming to Mumbai. I’ve wrapped up most cases and paperwork. Bull was asking how you’ve been doing with your case, any new information?”

“Found some, will mail you, also, you had to be here two months ago.” She said, dabbing her face with towel.

“I’ve got other cases as well.”

“Fine. See you then!”

“Meanwhile, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Can’t promise but I’ll try. Toodles!”

“Take care.”

~

Aisha and Liza took Neha to a secret room they had made in the ETF office behind the evidence room.

“Whoa! This is amazing!” Neha exclaimed looking at the room. “Girls, I need your help.”

“Yes. We will help you.” Both said in unison.

“Since yesterday, I am feeling really odd. Like someone is messing with my system.” Neha said. “Can you do a blood-test on me?”

“Yes.” Liza said.

“It has to be a secret between three of us.” Neha said.

“Do we have a codename for this?” Aisha asked.

“The Powerpuff Girls?! You Aish, Blossom our commander-leader, you’re Bubbles Liz and I’m Buttercup!” Neha said with childlike excitement.

“Never gonna grow up, are you?” Aisha smiled while Neha shook her head.

“The Powerpuff Girls!!” Liza said, “Just asking, why we are excluding Sakshi?”

“No hard feelings, but she’s not a cop and that’s our criteria. Also this place is lit! Thank you guys! You the best!” Neha hugged them both.

~

Next day,

ETF conference room,

Neha is frantically searching something.

“Neha, what do you want?” Arjun asked, seeing her act hyper.

“My pen” She said, still searching. Arjun looked at her, then pulled out a pen from beneath her file, “This one?”

“No, my blue raspber- yes, this.” She snatched it from his hand.

He shook his head and immersed himself in the file again.

Arjun looked her, “Neha, what is this? How did you mix evidences of two very different cases? How irresponsible of you!”

She looked at him with irritation and asked curtly, “They’re all dead anyways, who cares?”

“What do you mean who cares?” Arjun was taken aback with her behaviour. “This is highly unprofessional and not acceptable. Take these files, put everything properly and write the entire report again.”

“Not happening.” She said and left.

Neha went to the restroom to wash her face, “What is wrong with me? Why am I behaving like this?” She splashed water on her face repeatedly, “Why am I unable to concentrate on anything and these hallucinations. I think I’m being given drugs.. Sh--, I am being drugged. But how? Why? And who?” She sat down on the floor, “What do I do now?” She was shaking.

Aisha came in to check on her, “Neha, are you okay?”

Neha looked up, with tears brimming her eyes, “I don't know Aish.. I.. wanna kill..m-m..myself.”

Aisha hugged her, “Shush.. Neha, my strong girl, everything will be fine. Don't worry. Come on.”

“No.” She pushed Aisha away, “I messed up real bad. Bhaiya will hate me. I don't know anything. I wanna die. Aish please.. please kill me, please kill me.” Neha said sniffling.

Aisha wiped her tears, and hugged her again, “Neha, Neha, shh, relax. Take a deep breath. Yes, good. Now, listen to me. You are fine. Everything is alright. Nothing is wrong. Come, we have to go. Everyone is waiting for us.”

“No, I don't wanna go.”

After a while, Aisha managed to calm and bring Neha out.

Arjun was in his cabin, furiously raging, a visibly shaken Liza sat on one chair. Aisha looked around, trying to find an escape but Sameer came to them, “Neha, go to Arjun's cabin right now. Aisha, come with me.”

“But sir-”

“Aisha, it’s an order.”

Arjun was ready to explode like a pressure cooker. Neha stepped in and closed the door, she saw Liza sitting and smiled at her.

“Neha, please take a seat.” He said in a low voice, bringing her to the sofa. She sat, looking around. He sat beside her, pulled out her bottle of medicines and took out a capsule from it. He opened the capsule and emptied its powder on the coffee table. “Here, have it, you'll feel better.” He said sarcastically.

She looked at it and then at him, scared at look in his eyes, he was ready to eat her alive, literally. She inhaled sharply, “Bha-”

“Don't you dare!” He said with his voice steadily raising. “Are you not ashamed of yourself? What do you think you are doing? Something great? You thought I'd never find out that you were doing drugs on duty, that too here, in ETF? What do you think of yourself Ms. Neha Rawte? You don't even deserve this name. You've brought disgrace to our family. I am ashamed of you. I failed myself. And you don't even feel ashamed of your act? You ask me what? You have the audacity to raise your voice against me?”

Neha mumbled “I am being drugged. Someone is framing me. I don't know who and why. Please trust me-”

“How could you Neha? What were you thinking? You'll do anything and get away with it because you're my sister? Wrong. You are not my sister anymore. You have lost it all. Now get out of here and never return. I don't want to see you again. Out! Now!”

Neha walked out of his cabin and went home and locked herself in her room.

~

Two days later,

Evening,

ETF office,

Sameer's cabin,

Arjun, Aisha and Liza are sitting in his cabin and having a meeting.

Sameer said, “Rawte, you were really rude to Neha. Also, I trust what Aisha and Liza have to say. What if she was really framed? Someone did it on purpose. Ask yourself, do you really think Neha would do something of this sort on her own? Come on Rawte, be rational!”

“Rathore, I don't know why you still think she's innocent. We have proof that she did it.”

“Damnn it Rawte!” He thumped his hand on the table and closed his eyes for a moment. “Tell me, what does your heart say? Ask yourself Rawte, do you think your Neha would do this?”

“What if she did it Rathore?” Arjun got up from his seat.

“What if she did not?” Both stared at each other.

“Why are we not asking Neha about this?” Aisha spoke to break the long silence.

“We should actually do that.” Liza supported.

“Okay. Fine. I'll go home and talk to her.” Arjun finally agreed.

“Please be patient and listen to her first. Like a brother and not a cop, Arjun.” Sameer said and patted his shoulder.

~

Rawte Mansion,

Arjun knocked Neha's door multiple times but there was no response. He used his keys to open the door. The strong bitter-spicy smell of whiskey filled his senses. “Neha?” He walked inside, saw a few empty bottles of whiskey lying around. One of the bottle was broken and had blood on it. “Neha?” Arjun called again, his heart pounding. He saw Neha lying unconscious on carpet, blood flowing out slowly from her slashed wrists.

“Neha!” He screamed and tried to wake her. He rushed her to the hospital.

~

Next morning,

City Hospital,

Arjun had been restless all night, the doctors had not given any satisfactory response. He was waiting in the aisle. A young man in his early twenties walked up to him, his face was calm but his brown eyes raging with fury. He was a tall man, around 5’10’’, strong muscular built, dusky complexion, and walked with a confidence of a man who knows what he is doing.

“ACP Arjun Rawte?” He said rather curtly.

“Yes.” Arjun stood up to him.

“Dr. Vikram Saigal, Neha's therapist from London. I've heard a lot about you but I'm not sure if it's true.” He said in a British accent.

“How's Neha?” Arjun asked.

“Alive so far. Her BAC, blood alcohol count was really high and we've put her on dialysis which will complete in an hour. If she doesn't wake-up within two hours, I'm afraid, she might be in coma.” Vikram said calmly.

“What? How?” Arjun was shook, “She will be fine, right?” His heart was racing and he couldn't think straight.

“Pray, she will be fine. Also, after whatever you've done to her, you really shouldn't be asking anything. In fact you shouldn't even be here.” Vikram said in a dangerously low tone.

“Listen doctor, do your job. And don't tell me what I should do. She is my sister and I know what's good for her.” Arjun was irritated by doctor's demeanour.

“Yes, of course. You just killed her ACP sir! Thank you!” Vikram said sarcastically and went in to check on Neha.

Two hours later, Neha gains consciousness and sees Vikram sitting by her side and reading magazine. “Vik? You here?”

Vikram looks up and smiles, “Yes. Now I'll do a routine check-up and you can tell how you are feeling.”

She looked around, getting familiar with the surroundings.

“Your brother is out there. You wanna see him?” He asked.

“No” she said sadly.

“He wants to see you though, don't worry, I'll not let him stay longer.” He gave her a warm smile and asked Arjun to come in. “Not more than five minutes please.” Neha stared out of the window.

“Neha,” Arjun took a deep breath, “how are you?”

“Fine.” She said in a feeble voice, still looking away.

“I'm s-sorry. I.. should have listened to you.” Arjun's voice choked.

Neha closed her eyes.

Vikram intervened, “ACP sir, please, my patient needs rest. Don't worry, I will take care of her. You should leave now, the city needs you.”

Arjun glared at him, and left, not before glancing at his sister again.

“Vik...” She opened her eyes few moments later.

“Shh.. I know what I'm doing. Trust me I'll not let them harm you in anyway. Did I not tell you to not do anything stupid while I’m away? Now I'm here, everything is going to be alright.” Vikram said and sat on her side.

“I’m not a damsel in distress, need no prince charming to save me.” Neha said plainly.

“I know, you are the queen of bad-decisions-I-took-that-ruined-my-life.”

“Gimme a nice hug, I’m starved of all affection.”

“You did it to yourself once, don’t do it again.” He whispered in her ear while embracing her warmly.

~

Same afternoon,

Sameer came in, “How is my warrior?” he asked while sitting on the chair beside her.

“Tired.” Neha said in a low voice, “You think I did-”

“No, I know you would not. Someone has definitely planted it for reasons unknown but I'll find out who did it.” Sameer assured her.

“I wish the same.”

~

Around late evening,

“Your work friends are here to see you.” Vikram announced.

“I don't feel like, doc, but it'll be rude if I don't meet, right?” Neha looked at Vikram, “Say something sweet so that I can pretend everything is normal.”

“Wait” He took his phone and showed her a short video of kittens playing, “This helps?”

“Yes! I'm ready now!” She said smiling widely. “I'm happy to see you all here. You guys missed me? Aww! I'm touched.”

“Yes, we missed you a lot!” Karan said. “Also, I brought you a playlist of some of your favourite songs put in this Bluetooth-speaker.” He gave her a small box.

She opened it, “This is so cute! Thankie loads! You the sweetest Karan!”

“Now get well soon and come back, we're waiting for you on field!” Aisha said.

“Me too!” Neha whispered to Aisha and Liza, “But that bl00dy doctor has said I can't go on field for at least a week. Should we beat him up ‘Girls?”

“Beat me up and I'll not let you out on field for a month.” Vikram said out loud.

“How did you hear it from that far?” Liza asked.

“Lip reading.” Vikram answered in his deep baritone.

“Thanks for coming everyone, see you in two days.” Neha smiled at them.

“Aish, Liz, wait a minute.” She called them back, “Any progress?”

“No, the only fingerprints on that bottle were yours. We don't know how and who put cocaine in your anti-depressants.” Liza answered.

“They definitely used gloves. You won't find anything there. Try with the cocaine, its quality and who sells it here.” Vikram said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Also bring a sample for me too.”

“But I did not take any of my anti-depressants for the last 5 days. I skip dozes when I feel good or just like that.”

“So, the source is something other than your pills?” Liza asked.

“Seems so.”

“We need to search more intensely now,” Aisha said, “We'll keep you posted, take care.”

“Take care babies!” Neha waved at them.

~

Next morning,

“Doc, what ya’ writing?” Neha asked Vikram.

“To-do list!” He replied without looking up. After a while, he gave it to her.

“Find a safe-house, mission report, trustworthy people and the list goes on.” Neha read out to herself. “I can manage to safe-house part and mission, I'm on it already!”

“Neha, I'm not staying at your place. I need a separate space of my own, maybe close to your house or this hospital. You have enough contacts to arrange for it.”

“But you've not allowed me to go out on my own, how do I help you?”

“I'm staying at a hotel right now, planning to shift within this week.”

“Lemme see what I can do. Shall I ask Bhaiya? He'll tell you better options. Here he comes! Gonna live a hundred years brother!”

“How are you now?” Arjun asked as he placed her favourite flowers in the vase.

“Awesome as always. Right doc?”

“Not really, but improving.” Vikram said plainly.

“Before I forget, Bhaiya, Vik doesn't have a place to stay. Can you-”

Vikram cut her short, “That's not what I said.”

“Not an issue, he can be our guest for a few days.” Arjun said reluctantly.

“No, thanks. I'll manage.” Vikram resisted.

“Be my guest!” Neha said authoritatively, “You're in my city Vik, come on! You can't say no. Also I'm not asking you to marry me!”

“Oh my god woman, calm down.” Vikram rolled his eyes. “Fine, but not more than a week and meanwhile, we find me a real elegant place to stay. I'm here for three months at least.”

“Yes!” Neha exclaimed.

“Don't be so happy, I didn't agree to marry you.” Vikram said curtly.

“One day you will.” She winked.

“Neha, please!!”

“Okay whatever.” She ignored his glares.

“I'm sorry you had to witness this ACP sir, it's her drugs getting the bes- worst out of her.” Vikram apologized.

“It's alright, I know my sister. She's just trying to make you uncomfortable, nothing much.” Arjun said.

“See, even he agrees.”

“Neha, shush.” Vikram hissed.

“You people carry on, I got work. Take care Neha.” Arjun said and left.

Making sure Arjun was out of earshot, Vikram asked, “Why did you do this?”

“I didn't want him to stay longer. Also I want to forget everything about that afternoon. Can I pretend it never happened?”

“Denial? Not really healthy coping mechanism but for a while, I'll let you do it.”

~

Late Evening,

Karan brought a bouquet of red roses.

“Why does it look like you're gonna propose me or something?” Neha asked him, sitting upright.

“Ugh, what?” Karan looked at her, flushed.

“Sorry, I was just teasing you man! Pretty roses though.” She smacked his arm.

“How are you feeling now?”

“Bored AF!”

“Oh!” Karan looked at her for a moment and then around while sitting in an awkward silence.

“Karan? Is there something you want to say? Come on, say it. I can't bear this weird silence suspense.”

“Well, actually,” he bit his lips nervously, “I.. I wanted to say..that I..I love you!”

Neha looked at him with confusion, “Well, okay, um.. thanks?” She looked at the roses, “Thanks again!”

He smiled.

She stared at him for few moments and said softly, “I..um.. really appreciate your feelings but I'm sorry... I really never thought of you as anything more than a friend. I promise, you are an amazing person but not me..”

“Neha?” He looked at her sincerely, “I just wanted to say this to you but couldn't.. actually I.. I justbdidn't know how to tell you. I don't want anything from you, I don't even expect you to love me back, I just wanted to let you know that I love you.”

Neha looked at him for a while, then said softly, “I'm really sorry Karan but I... wish we could still be friends?”

“I promise, our friendship won’t be affected at all.”

“Thanks!” She closed her eyes, and breathed heavily, “Take my phone and call doc, tell him I don't feel good.”

Karan called up Dr. Vikram and he came in in few minutes.

“Hi!” Vikram smiled at Karan, “'sup?” he asked Neha.

“A wierd body ache, like not an ache but like burning.. Also change my cannula, it's hurting real bad.” Neha said slowly.

Vikram looked at her hand, “It's swelling, will ask a nurse to change.” And checked her pulse.

“I want you to change it Vikram, not any nurse.” She said stubbornly.

“There's a difference between training of a doctor and a nurse, my dear. They can do it better.” Vikram reasoned.

“Please Vikram, I can't tell how bad it's hurt-” Neha bit her lip and closed her eyes tightly, “Please.”

“Please don't cry! Okay, I'll do it for you, give me two minutes, alright?” Vikram looked at the saline bottle which was empty, “How did this finish so quick? It was started 40 minutes ago.”

“Nurse came to give injection, speeded it up” Neha said weakly.

“When?” He asked and looked at the medications, “None of this is given, which injection was given to you Neha?”

“Half-an hour ago, I don't know, she brought it with her.” she said and touched her nose, it was bleeding, “What is this?”

“I think it's some allergic reaction to the last medication,” Vikram took her blood for test, changed cannula and attached the machine to monitor her blood pressure and pulse rate. Two nurses came in and he instructed them, “The saline have to be given continuously and make sure the heart rate doesn't drop.” He held Neha's hand assuringly, “Neha, relax, I'll be back in a while. Everything is fine.” and walked out, “Karan, could you please help me?”

“Sure.”

Vikram gave him the blood sample, “Check for toxins and give me a report ASAP. I need to know what was in the injection.”

“Alright.” Karan left for the lab.

Vikram called up Arjun, “ACP sir, how soon can you come to the hospital?”

“On my way, how's Neha?”

“Not good.” Vikram said and disconnected the call. He entered his temporary cabin and opened his laptop. He quickly browsed the camera footage of her ward for the last 35 minutes and found the nurse that gave the medicine. He played the live video and found that Neha has been vomiting. “Poison? F--k! This has gone too far.” He picked up the anti-vomiting meds and went to her ward.

“Doc? Is that blood?” Neha pointed to the red spots in her vomit.

Vikram looked at her, “No, it's not.” He gave nurse the injections, “You will feel better, don't worry.”

“Am I dying?” She asked, “my body is burning from inside.”

“No dear, it's an allergic reaction, quite strong one but you will be fine. Trust me.”

“If I’m dying, do not give me CPR or any other artificial support, no life support and sh--, remember?”

“Not needed, you’ll be fine.”

Arjun came in, Neha looked very weak.

“Bhaiya, I don't wanna die..” she mumbled.

“ACP sir, we need to talk.” Vikram said and walked out of the room along with Arjun.

“Doctor, tell me what-”

“She's been given some sort of poison and I've no clue what exactly it is and so no antidote is given yet.” Vikram quickly answered as he led Arjun to his cabin.

“I will kill you if anything happens to my Neha!” Arjun held Vikram by his collar.

He jerked off Arjun's hand, “That won't be necessary. We need a pint of blood right now, so kindly arrange that.”

“Take mine, our blood is same.”

“Of course.” He went to the lab after giving the instructions to nurses.

-

“Karan, what did you get?”

“I ran multiple tests but couldn't find any toxins. Seems like they are organic, they dissolved in blood without a trace.”

“A designer poison and we have no clue about whatsoever.” He thought out loud and realized something. He returned to his room and checked the video recording again.

There were some messages on Neha's phone, “This is how it feels, when you wish death would come to you, free you from the pain and suffering but it doesn't. You have to feel this pain, there is no escape from it.” Another text read, “No, you will not die from this pain, not so soon, not yet.”

‘This nurse who gave the poison is my only chance, there's no point tracking number, won't be used again.’ Vikram thought and looked into the video footage from Neha's room and then logged in to watch the CCTV footage of the hospital to locate the nurse, who was in the medicine store room.

“What poison did you give to my Neha?” Vikram locked the door of store room from inside and questioned the woman.

“Who? What are you talking about doctor?” She sweated nervously.

“Patient in special ward number 4, what injection did you give her?”

“No… I don't know what it was.”

“But you know what this is.” Vikram pulled out a vial of hydrogen peroxide solution and an injection.

“No… please don't kill me, I, I will tell. I got this package and a letter with 50 thousand rupees. I needed money for my son's education, I did what they asked me to. I don't know what was in the vials.” She said quickly and sat down crying, “They have my son, if I don't do what they asked, they will kill him. I'm doing it for my child, please help me.”

“Where's the package and letter?”

She took out a small box from her handbag, “Here.”

Vikram quickly went through the letter.

Inject vial 1 directly in vein and vial 2 after 3 hours of first injection.

Your son is with us, if you try to contact police or tell anyone else, you never see him again.

Sending some money, rest will be given after you finish this simple little task.

A well-wisher :)

“Bl00dy well-wisher!” He cursed and took a closer look at the vials, the empty one had “poison” written on it in very small neat handwriting in a corner though not easily readable. The other vial had “antidote” written on it similarly.

“It's been two hours already, I'm taking the antidote with me.”

“No, they are watching my every move, I can't let you do this. They have my son.”

“I can't wait for another hour, she will die.”

“So will my son. I won't let you do this, my child is my world.”

“Then why did you tell me all this?”

“You're a doctor, you save lives, please don't let my son die, just one hour more.”

He picks up the vial of antidote, fills the injection with it, leaves the vial with her and gave her another vial, “An hour later, 5 ml to the same patient. Don't worry about your son. You have my word.”

~

Vikram came back to Neha’s ward and gave her the antidote. She had been put on oxygen and blood transfusion was taking place. “You will be fine.” He turned to Arjun and handed over Neha’s phone to him. “There’s a message, you should see.”

Arjun read the message and called Shree, “Sending you a number, track it.”

“ACP Sir, I have this under control, you should take necessary action against the culprits.” Vikram suggested.

“Don’t tell me what to do. I’m not leaving her alone, not again.”

15 minutes later, Neha’s condition was more stable.

Sameer called in to check the situation.

“It’s not so good Rathore,” Arjun said, “Someone tried to poison her.”

“Shree told me that he has tracked the location of that message sender. We are caught up with another case but I’ll let you take him along if you want to find them.” Sameer said.

“I don’t want to leave Neha like this Rathore, it doesn’t feel right.”

“I understand Rawte, but you are not really helping by staying there. Do what you feel is right. Take care of our little princess.”

“Yes.” Arjun said and disconnected the call.

“Sir, trust me, she is doing better now.” Vikram said, “If you don’t find them now, you probably won’t find them again. You can’t let them escape.”

“You don’t sound like a doctor.”

“I sound like a sensible human? I have been working with the Scotland Yard Police Department as a weekly counsellor for the last 3 years. Just saying.”

Arjun said sternly, “Sakshi is here, she will stay along with Neha, make sure she is fine till I come back.”

“I will do all that I need to. Don’t worry.” Vikram assured.

An hour later, the nurse went up to Neha's room and gave her an injection. Sakshi was on the watch by her side. A few minutes later Neha’s pulse rate began dropping.

“Doctor, what is happening?” Sakshi asked concernedly.

“Dropping pulse rate, not good. Sister, bring some Atropine.”

“Doc… no CPR…” Neha said in a barely audible voice.

“Neha, I have no choice. I have to save you.”

“No…”

“Shut up, I am the doctor, I will decide what treatment is to be given.” Vikram tried to keep his calm but was failing.

“My body, my decisi-” She said frailly.

“You can’t put me in this moral dilemma, it’s a delicate situation.” Vikram tried to reason with her but she was adamant.

“Please play Bohemian Rhapsody, from 1.56 seconds” Neha whispered.

“You want background music at this moment? You live for drama, Queen!” Vikram forced a smile.

…Too late, my time has come

Sends shivers down my spine…

~

Arjun and Shree had reached the location- a crowded marketplace.

“Sir, how do we find who was this person in this crowd? The phone is switched off now.”

“We have to find him Shree, do your best.”

~

…Body's aching all the time

Goodbye everybody, I've got to go

Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth…

Sakshi was panicking, “Doctor, why are you not doing anything?? You can’t let her die.”

“Its not just her wish, she has it in her living will and also has it tattooed on her chest, she does not want any artificial mechanisms to keep her alive. I have to respect it.” Vikram explained.

“You will let her die?”

“I’m trying my best, but things are not working.”

The nurse came in, “We don’t have a stock of Atropine, I’ve sent a message, we will get it in some time.”

“I hope it’s not too late.” Vikram said ominously as he looked at the heart rate monitor which had lines breaking abruptly.

After a few minutes, the lines ran straight, the machine was beeping loudly and there was an eerie silence in the ward. Vikram checked his watch, two minutes later, he removed the oxygen mask from her face and pulled the sheet over her face.

Sakshi said in a low, scared voice, “Doc? What happened?”

Vikram closed his eyes and bit his lip, “Sh..she’s no more.”

“NO!!” Sakshi screamed, “You can’t die this soon! Neha!!! Wake up!!”

“It is a difficult time, control yourself.” Vikram said, “You have to inform others.”

“Okay.” She said wiping her tears and left.

~

“The poison worked, she is dead. It was a nice, slow and painful death, much like I thought it would be.” Sakshi said over phone.

“Dead? But we gave the antidote as well? What about that? Boss won’t be happy.” A heavy voice responded.

“I don’t know what you did. You answer him. I am not talking.”

“No. This was your idea. You talk.”

“Fine.” Sakshi cut the call and dialled another number. It was picked after 3 full rings, a heavily drunk husky voice responded, “What?”

“She’s dead.” Sakshi said plainly.

“Who?”

“Neha”

“Shut the f--- up! How dare you say that?” He roared.

“I’m not lying. It has happened. She is dead.”

He remained silent for few moments he yelled, “What part of ‘keep an eye on her means you are free to kill her? I swear, if what you’re saying is true, I swear I’ll give you the most painful death ever, you wh0re!”

~

In a poor neighbourhood, with narrow lanes and small houses, a shadow moved swiftly across them and stopped at the house no. 27, knocked the door. It was opened by a ruffian looking man.

“What?” He said rather roughly and looked at the person, wearing a black mask, only his eyes were visible.

“You have a kid in here?” the shadow asked.

“Who sent you?”

“Sikander!”

“Confirmation?”

The shadow took out his phone and showed a picture, “Done?”

“Okay. Kaalya, let’s go.” He said and another man came out and both of them left the house.

The shadow went in the house, a 12 year old boy lay in a corner, limbs tied. He untied the child and checked his pulse, it was slow but steady. A handkerchief was lying on his side, it had a faint smell of chloroform. He picked the child and placed him comfortably in bed, locked the house and went behind those two men.

“Take me to your boss.” The shadow pointed a gun at Kaalya’s head.

“D.don’t shoot! We take you there.” Kaalya said in his shaky voice.

“Sweet.”

15 minutes later, the trio reached an abandoned textile mill, which now served as a warehouse for the anti-social elements.

“Both of you, go in and tell your boss that you have done your work. Also, thanks for bringing me here.” The shadow said in a menacing voice, the duo agreed and went in.

The shadow looked around the outer boundaries, main gate was guarded by two armed men. He sneaked from the corner, waited for one to return to the pole, snapped his neck and waited for the other one to come around and repeated.

The shadow moved in the mill discreetly and killed all the men in ten minutes. He then went on to see their boss, who was smoking hash.

“Who do you work for?” The shadow asked sternly.

“I am my own boss.” He said sluggishly.

“Why did you have to poison her? Who asked you to do that?”

“We didn’ want to kill her, but it’s a bonus.”

“Pick up your gun and shoot yourself.”

“What if I don’t?”

“I’ll give you another poison, it will leave you paralyzed for 10 days, killing you slowly and very painfully. Or shoot yourself. Don’t waste my time.”

The boss looked at this man, he was filling up a syringe. He stared for a while and shot himself in his head.

“Bl00dy coward!” the shadow sighed and looked around. He found a huge stack of cocaine. He picked up one packet and pocketed it and clicked pictures of rest of the stock and left just as discreetly.

~

Meanwhile at ETF, Chotu received a call and he went on to inform the team, “In a suspicious shootout at Rajlakshumi Textile Mills, 30 people are killed including a high profile drug dealer.”

“Aisha, you and Chotu go and take a look at the situation. I will ask Rawte to join you.” Sameer said and called up Arjun, “Rawte, got a situation at Rajlakshumi Textile Mills, be there as soon as you can.”

“On my way.”

“Did you find anything related to-”

“A broken mobile and a burnt sim card in a dustbin, no other traces.” Arjun voiced disappointedly.

~

About 40 minutes later, Aisha and Chotu reached Rajlakshumi Textile Mills and were shortly joined by Arjun and Shree.

“Sir,” Chotu looked at the crime scene, “it seems like they killed each-other and their boss committed suicide.”

“It is murder Chotu, made to look like suicide,” Arjun said, “see beyond what is shown.”

“Arjun sir!” Aisha called out, “There’s about 50 kilos of cocaine in here and a packet or two missing.”

“Find the packet, find the killer.” Arjun stated.

Shree was looking at the dead boss’ phone, “Sir, we found him, he sent the message across, there are a few versions of text in drafts.”

“And now he is dead,” Arjun added, “who killed him becomes even more important now.”

Sakshi came in sobbing, “A..ar..Arjun”

“Sakshi? Why are you crying? Wh-why did you come here? You were supposed to be with Neha!” Arjun was getting restless.

“N..Neha.. died-” Sakshi whispered.

“What nonsense?” Arjun shouted.

“I saw it with my own eyes,” Sakshi composed herself, “I don’t want to believe it either, but it’s true. She is no more.” She showed a picture of Neha, the monitor on her side showing straight lines.

“This is a lie. It’s not possible, not my -” Arjun’s throat ran dry.

“Sakshi!” Aisha came to her side, “No, this is not real. She can’t die just like that, no…”

“I know, I suspect that doctor actually let her die.” Sakshi added, “You know, she was having a very low pulse rate and the doctor didn’t even try CPR or that electric shock thing to revive her. He just said that she told him not to. Is that even possible? Why would someone say they don’t want any artificial methods to revive them?”

“She always said that if my God wants me to die, I won’t fight it.” Arjun whimpered, “she really meant it…” and fell on his knees, crying his heart out.

Aisha hugged Sakshi and shed silent tears. Shree sat down in a corner and leaned on Chotu’s shoulder, “Why does God do this to us every-time? Why do we always have to lose such amazing friends? First Riya, now Neha…”

“Bappa, please tell me this is a lie.” Chotu said and hugged Shree.

~*~

It was a really long chapter, if your're alive, drop a comment :)

Chapter 8

TW: Death, Drugs and Violence

City Hospital

10 minutes after Neha was declared dead.

Vikram turned to the Nurse, “In ten minutes, her brother Rahul will be here, you will take her to their home. Tell them she is sleeping, and not to disturb her. Keep the blood pint and saline on to keep up the façade and do not leave her alone at all until I’m back. Get it?”

“But she’s dead, so why?”

“Maintain she’s not till I have your kid safe. Also, do not try anything, if I can save your son, I won’t hesitate to do otherwise.” Vikram said calmly.

“No! Please! I’ll do whatever you say.”

“We will pay you double the amount they promised you. So, no mistakes allowed.”

~

Presently,

Rajlakshumi Textile Mill

Aisha took a deep breath, wiped her tears and sat beside Arjun to console him, “Arjun sir, you have to stay strong. We have to go and be with her now. Please.”

“It is all my fault… I should have never-” Arjun said in a shaky voice.

“Sir please, we have to go!” Aisha requested.

Five of them drove to the Hospital.

“Neha was taken home two hours ago by Rahul sir.” The receptionist told them.

“Alright.” Aisha said.

~

Rawte Mansion

Vikram opened the door and looked at their tear-dried, puffy eyes and sad faces.

“Where’s Neha?” Arjun asked.

“Shh.. she’s sleeping.” Vikram said softly.

“Sleeping?”

“Yes. She’s sleeping, first room on the left.”

“But you said she die-” Sakshi tried to intervene.

“We thought she did, you see, these poisons sometimes play with the host system and we can’t really determine what’s happening. But she’s better now.” Vikram reasoned.

Meanwhile Arjun sprinted to the room, looked at her sleeping self, a pint of saline in her right hand, left hand connected to the monitor showing blood-pressure. He sat down beside her, his heart still racing wild. A lone tear trickled from his eye.

He held her hand carefully to not disturb the IV-set, “I should not have left you alone.”

“Do not sit at my grave and weep.” Neha said in a very soft voice, “I am not dead. I am asleep.”

“Shut up you idiot!” Arjun scoffed and she closed her eyes.

“I told you not to wake her up, why don’t you listen?” Vikram said as he came in.

“I did not. She’s still sleeping.”

“As if I didn’t hear her misquote Mary Elizabeth Frye, Do not stand at my grave and weep. She closed her eyes as soon as she saw me come in.” Vikram stated plainly.

“Is she okay?” Aisha asked with teary eyes.

“Alive, yes.” Vikram responded.

“Shree, I told you, this had to be a lie. See! She is here with us.” Chotu said in a cheerful tone.

Shree said cheekily, “Chotu, you managed to bribe Bappa and he gave up! I love you re!!”

“Oh my goodness!!” Vikram sighed, “What did this as-h-le do to get so much of love?” and received murderous glares from everyone.

“I will physically fight you if you say that, take your words back, right now!” Aisha threatened in a low voice.

“I like it.” Vikram replied with a smile and pissed off Aisha.

“Guys!” Sakshi interrupted, “We should go home now, it is very late.”

Arjun bade them goodbye, “Thank you-”

Aisha cut him short, “This team is our family sir. Don’t thank us. Take care!”

~

Sakshi reached home and made a call and said bitterly, “She is alive.”

“Good. You are warned, do not pull off any such stunt ever again.” He warned, “If you hurt her, I will kill you. You are only supposed to keep an eye on her and report what she is doing. Nothing else.”

“I think you have forgotten that she was the reason you brother was killed.”

“He deserved it. Do what you are asked to properly, this time.”

~

“Good morning! How are you feeling now?” Vikram asked.

“Alive?” Neha said quietly, “my body is still aching..”

“The poison was quite strong indeed. The report mentions Aconitum.”

“Ooh!” Neha said and tried to sit upright. “You lied to me about that allergic reaction?”

“I had to make sure you did not panic.”

Rahul and Arjun came in with breakfast and begin eating in front of her.

“Are you two eating peanut-butter & jam sandwiches? Where’s mine??” Neha yells.

“You are on a detox diet dear, no bread for a week.” Vikram answered, “Only fruits and vegetables. Have some juice for now.”

She looked him and muttered, “F--ker!” then turned at her brothers with a puppy face,“Give me PB&J sandwich please!!”

“Take!” Rahul said and tossed an apple towards her, “an apple a day…”

“I hate you all!” She said and munched the apple, “No, not you,” she winked at Vikram, “I love you, partner!”

“Detox diet is still compulsory. You’re not getting away.”

“But…”

“Don’t even try. I will call your mom and tell her-”

“No!” She shouted, “I’m already locked in her room, don’t give me more nightmares!”

“Good to know that someone actually knows who you are scared of.” Rahul added fuel to the fire.

“I’m not scared of mum.”

“Not at all!” Arjun teased.

“Get out!!” Neha screamed.

~

In a small room, with one big light hanging in the center, a man was tied on the chair. Aryan walked in with a 15 year old Neha.

“How long has he been here?” Aryan asked.

“15 hours”

“Did he talk?”

“Not a word.”

“Let’s try again.” Aryan said and sat on the table in front of him. “Ask your question dear.”

“When and where will the consignment of those girls arrive?”

Aryan ripped the tape off his mouth, “Answer.”

“Why? You want to be one of them?” the man sneered at her and received a tight slap from Aryan.

“If you don’t start talking in five, you shall- never mind, I won’t describe, one.. two mili from this” Aryan gave a small glass bottle and a syringe.

“Just two mili not more?”

“Dead men tell no tales dear. four”

“You didn’t say three!!” the man was getting restless.

“Ten.” Aryan said and signalled her to give him a dose. She hesitated for a bit but received a reassuring nod from him and injected the dose. “You have about thirty minutes to tell before the full effect of the poison kicks in. That is you will be having convulsions, extreme body-ache and severe dehydration. If you choose to remain silent, another dose will be given but trust me you will suffer severely for 8-9 hours before you actually die. I can guarantee a very slow and painful death to you.”

“What is in the mix?” She asked inquisitively.

“Aconitum and ricin put together. This is my first test before I perfect the formula though! I think we will have a good experiment.”

“Do what you feel like, I’m not going to tell you anything.” The man said haughtily.

Aryan looked at him for a moment then turned to Neha, “Remember, you asked if an aerosol spray could be used as a flamethrower?” She nodded excitedly. “Go, get a mosquito spray, a candle and a lighter. I will demonstrate how to do it safely.”

She came back after a few minutes with all three things. Aryan kept the spray in the middle of the table, candle few inches ahead of it, placed such that the flame would be directed towards the man, who was getting restless now.

“What are you doing?” He asked nervously sweating.

“Science experiment for the kid.” Aryan said and sprayed the mosquito spray on him to check the range, then brought it ahead. “Lighter.”

“No!!” The man screamed, “I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“Too late man. I have to conduct the experiment now.”

“No! I swear I will give you all the details, please. My body is already burning on the inside.”

“I will demonstrate the flamethrower some other time, start noting whatever this b-st-rd has to say.” Aryan said.
~

Neha had been reliving a distant memory when Vikram brought in a box full of salines, injections and other necessary items. He was setting up the next saline for her.

“You said nurses do this, not doctors.”

“After what happened last night, I cannot trust anyone.” Vikram replied while giving her a multi-vitamin injection.

“Did you find out who was behind it?”

“Who else could it be?”

“Sikander?” She whispered, “Nope! He would never hurt me.”

“Just because he saved your life once does not mean he would not hurt you. He did not know who you were when-”

“He loves me. You don’t understand, he would never hurt me. He promised that and he is a man of his words.”

“Did your parents not teach you to not believe strangers and criminals? You have enough experience to know what happens if you trust the wrong person.”

“You need not remind me.” Neha said sternly.

“Evidence indicates it was Sikander. Believe it or not.”

~

ETF Office

Sameer and Arjun were going through the evidences collected from Rajlakshumi Textile Mill.

“Sir,” Liza came in the evidence room with reports, “The cocaine samples from the Lonavala case, Mill and Neha’s medicine drugs, all match perfectly.” She produced a small crumpled piece of paper, “Found this in the hand of that dead boss.”

Arjun straightened the paper and found a red S on it and recognized it, his eyes turned red in rage and he held the paper in front of Sameer, “I made this connection in Lonavala but you did not believe me!”

“Arjun calm down.” Sameer said, trying to maintain his own temper.

“He poisoned my Neha and you want me to calm down?” Arjun yelled.

“Rawte! Stop shouting.” Sameer roared.

“What is going on?” Commissioner Coelho was on a surprise visit when he saw both of them fighting.

“Sir we have evidence linking him. I have to find him.” Arjun requested.

“A piece of paper is your evidence Arjun? Are you serious?” Coelho questioned.

“Sir, please, I will find more evidence, give me-”

“Arjun, you are not authorized for this. Have patience.”

“Three years I have been waiting.”

“You have to wait.” Coelho said authoritatively and left.

~

Three days later,

Neha was adamant to go out of the house.

“Please Vik! I’ve been home for more than ten days no, let me go out.”

“It has been three days Neha, you cannot exert yourself like this. You have to take rest.”

“But I just want to visit the temple.”

“You got one in your house, pray here.”

“You don’t understand, it is important for me to be there. I go to the temple every year on this day without fail. I have to go.”

“I will come with you.”

“But you don’t believe in God and never visit temples.”

“I will wait in the car, you finish your visit in fifteen minutes and we immediately return home.”

“You are not my bodyguard, and honestly, I don’t need one, but thanks for your concern.”

“Your safety is important. You cannot take any chances.”

“I have two Rottweiler pups at my guard, you need not worry.”

“You cannot take them in public places, they’re dangerous.”

“My babies won’t hurt anyone, unless I ask them to.”

“It is unethical. I will be coming with you, keep your pups home.”

She sighed, “Fine. Tag along. We will make a quick visit to ETF, pick some files related to our case.”

“Might as well solve a case or two.”

“Shut up sarcastic b-tch!”

~

Same evening,

Ganesha Temple

Neha was dressed in a simple white cotton salwar-kameez with a pink silk dupatta. She offered flowers and coconut at the altar and went around the temple twice. She stopped behind the temple where an ascetic had been sitting. She sat in front of him with her hands folded in a namaste and bowed.

“God bless you, my child” the ascetic smiled and blessed her, “In life, one must be cautious that behind every action, there is a will and behind every will there is a valued judgement. The desire that supports one’s action arises out of mind which is a store-house of ideas and memories and everything that one feels and desires is conceived in mind. If you control your mind, you control your life.” He gave her prasad, “I know you like almonds more than cashews. Stay blessed.”

She took the two laddus, bowed again and left.

She sat in the car and gave a bit of laddu to the driver and to Vikram.

“What took you so long?” Vikram asked.

“I was barely gone for 15 minutes, did you not see the rush? Give me those tissues.”

“What are you doing?” Vikram asked as he saw her breaking the laddu with almond pieces.

“Found it!” she pulled out a small chip carefully folded it in a tissue. “Keep it safe with you for now.”

They reached ETF, Neha went in to get her files and saw everyone staring at her, ‘Everyone fancies my pink dupatta!’. She packed two files and a few envelops in her bag and went to meet Shree at his workstation.

“Hello Shree!” She waved at him.

“Umm, hi! How are you?” Shree asked hurriedly.

“Good. Being given 6 salines a day. My puppers are my only entertainment. Where’s everyone?”

“Busy with a case.” He said without looking up.

“Shree?! Is everything o-” she paused as she looked at the screen, three pictures in the mail with caption ‘Some rare beauty pics, enjoy. ;) Karan R.’ She double clicked on the image to open it while Shree tried to stop her. “Oh” She bit her lip and muttered, “That is why everyone was looking at me like that. Lol, this b-tch so fake!”

Shree looked at her, “What?”

“Someone played a prank, my fake nudes” She chuckled, “should have at least used the same model to morph my face onto.”

Shree was confused, “Neha what do you mean?”

“Lol, I’d kill to have a bod like that! But it’s not me. Someone played a dirty prank.”

“Karan has sent it to all-staff an hour ago.” Shree stated disappointingly.

“Karan? No! He can’t do this.” Neha said.

“What are you two talking about?” Karan asked as he came to Shree’s workstation.

“Send my fake nudes to the all-staff mail.” Neha stated.

“What? No! I did not-” Karan said in an alarmed voice.

“Shh!! Relax” Neha tried to calm him, “I know you would never do this. I trust you. Someone has tried to frame you, we will find out who, right Shree?”

“We have to.”

“Also, could you please delete this mail from Bhaiya’s account before he sees it? It’s kinda disgusting you know..”

“Do you know sir’s password? I don’t want to hack him.”

“I know. Also Chief’s account. Karan should be knowing the password.”

“I am not sure, he has never told me but let’s try.” Karan said.

“Alright.”

The trio went to Arjun’s cabin, logged into his system and deleted the mail.

Shree sighed, “Good that they are busy with the case and haven’t checked the mail yet. Now the challenging task, Rathore sir.”

They reached Sameer’s cabin and tried to log into his computer, “What is his lock-screen password? Guys?”

“Lemme type.” Neha said and quickly typed the password and logged in successfully.

Shree was surprised, “How did you know?”

“I saw him typing it once.”

“You should not be seeing it!” Karan said.

“Well, he typed in front of me, how could I not see? Are you jealous that your brother believes me more than you?”

Shree had just finished deleting the mail as it was not logged out when Sameer came in, “What are you three doing on my PC?”

“Getting my sick leave approved.” Neha lied.

“I approved it yesterday and mailed you a copy of the approval.” Sameer said.

“Yeah, but I accidentally deleted the mail and so had to resend it to myself from your email.” Neha smiled sheepishly.

“So you brought Shree to hack my PC?” Sameer asked sternly.

“No, no sir, I did not hack your PC. I was just-”

“Two of you will be doing everyone’s paperwork for this case and you will be given appropriate punishment once you come back for trying to hack my PC.” Sameer ordered.

“But chief-” Neha tried to intervene.

“Two cases paperwork, Shree and Karan, get back to work now.” Sameer glared at them and they left, “What is it about Neha?”

“I just said, sick lea-” Neha reasoned.

“Who are you lying to?” Sameer asked calmly, “What are you trying to hide?”

“Nothing chief, everything is fine! I have to leave now, it’s quite late, doc will be pissed. Toodles!” she waved her fingers and started leaving.

“Neha?”

“Nothing I can’t handle, bye chief!” She said from the door and walked out briskly.

~

Neha ran upstairs to her room and sat on the couch. Closed her eyes and tried to connect the dots. Vikram came in and sat in front of her, silently. After a few minutes she emptied her bag and started opening envelops. She kept all the official letters on a side and picked a small envelop which read “For Ms. Neha Rawte” in clear handwriting. She opened it, reread the letter and gave it to Vikram.

“When did you get this?”

“A week ago, probably one of the days when I was being drugged, I don’t remember exactly.”
“So what did this person do?”

“Circulated my fake nudes to the entire staff.”

“Motherf--” Vikram cursed quite loudly.

Neha’s phone buzzed, she answered, “Who’s this?”

The anonymous caller said, “I warned you about it.”

Neha asked plainly, “What do you want?”

“Vivaan. Where is he?”

“After all these years?”

“So you know where he is.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“I have a few clips, which I will be sharing tomorrow. If you tell me about Vivaan before that-”

“Meet me.”

“Tomorrow afternoon. Come alone. Address will be shared shortly.”

She disconnected the call. “Vivaan’s brother, I think. Says meet me alone.”

“What have you planned?”

“Time to test my babies, let them taste human flesh!” She said coldly.

“I like it!” Vikram replied.

~

Later that night,

Neha had taken her medicines and was preparing to sleep when Arjun barged in, “What is going on Neha? Care to explain?” he said rather loudly.

“Shhh.. calm down ACP sir.” Vikram silenced him, “You cannot talk to her like this.”

“You need not tell me-” Arjun responded angrily.

Vikram cut him short, “You’re too loud sir. Let’s go out and talk.” He took Arjun out of the room and made him sit. Handed him a glass of water, “What is your problem ACP sir? Could you not have a normal conversation with your sister? Why do you have to shout at her so much?”

“Mind your own business.” Arjun said irritated.

“Precisely, doing that.” Vikram said calmly, “If you cannot treat her with the love and respect that she deserves, you better not talk to her at all.”

“She said that?”

“No. I wish she could.”

Arjun walked into her room but she was fast asleep. He turned off the lights and closed the door. “Vikram, what is it that you know and I don’t?”

“You want me to share my client’s confidential information? Not happening.”

“Do you not think I should be knowing-”

“No, I will not share anything. If Neha wants to tell you, she will. Give her some time. If she does not want to, there’s no point in asking me.”

“Why are you like this?”

“We have sworn to protect our client’s confidential information, not even family members are allowed to know it. But just a caution, do not do anything that triggers her suicidal tendencies or substance abuse. Have a good night.” Vikram said and went to his room.

Arjun sat on the couch remembering her words, “I don’t drink because it’s fun, I drink to forget”…”See how beautiful this knife is, how sharp!” and cut her finger while tracing it.

The memories flooded his mind and he decided to have a conversation with Neha.

~

Next afternoon,

Neha and Vikram along with Rocky and Sandy reach the hotel, Rose Tria.

“Room 103, when I say babies, you come in with them.”

“Do the allow dogs in the hotel?”

“If they don’t, flash my badge.” Neha said and gave her ETF badge in his hands, “Only for emergency.”

“All the best!”

They checked blue-tooth device connectivity and she went in.

“Rivan Raichand?” Neha asked at the reception.

“Just a minute ma’am” the receptionist smiled and called him, “Room 103.”

“Thank you!” She smiled and left for his room.

“Finally, I see you in person!” Rivan said and asked her to sit.

“I did not expect this.” Neha said plainly.

“Neither did I. Now don’t waste any time and tell me where is Vivaan?”

“Why is there a single ‘a’ in your name while two in Vivaan’s?”

“My mom’s numerologist suggested.” Rivan said impatiently, “Tell me about Vivaan.”

~

Vikram was listening to their conversation through the earpiece. He added Arjun on the conversation call.

~

“Two years is a long time, I don’t really remember anything.”

“27th December 2009, his last message read I am taking a break, don’t worry about me, I’m fine, will contact when I feel better. Two years and counting, he never contacted us ever again. His university said he left for India saying that there was some emergency at home. He never returned. You were the last person he was seen with. Only you can tell where he is.”

“Oh! That is bad. But I can’t help you, I don’t know anything about him.” Neha said with a sad face.

“Stop lying. You know where he is! Please tell me. Please. My mother is dying to know about her son. I beg you. Please.”

“If she dies, she would probably see her son. I’m not really sure.”

Rivan sat upright and threatened, “I have certain video-clips. If you do not answer me now, these will be posted on the internet.”

Neha looked at him and laughed, “There you are, you as-h-le! Your mother will be happy to know that both her sons messed with the wrong girl and pity, she’s going to lose her other and only son now.”

“What do you mean?” He said impatiently.

“Did your mother not teach you how to be respectful to women?”

“Don’t question my mother.”

“Really? Why not? I would like to ask her in person, what she really taught you.”

“You better shut up right now or one click and all these videos-”

She slapped him, “You know what? The only reason I killed your brother was because he was an as-h-le and he deserved to die.”

“You killed my brother? Why?” Rivan cried.

“I didn’t want to, it was a pure act of self-defense. My bad, that I thought he was a good person, well he looked great. But he never really understood consent. That if a girl says she doesn’t want to have s*x it is okay. It is her choice. Just because she is your girlfriend doesn’t make you entitled and doesn’t make her obligated to have s*x with you. Your brother drugged me, r*ped me and also tried to kill me. I had to save myself so I accidentally stabbed him, 15 times I think. Then I had to get rid of the dead body, so I cut him into pieces and fed to the wild beasts of the forest. I dropped those messages to you and the University so that no one asks me. I had no clue about these s*x tapes, but now you have brought them up, so face the consequences.”

Rivan stared at her bewildered, “You’re lying?”

“I wish I was. Now delete all those tapes and see my lawyer. You will be facing charges for Defamation under Section 499 and 500 of IPC.”

“You will be going to jail for killing my brother you wh-re!” He shouted and tried to hit her with a vase.

She dodged it, “I thought you learnt your lesson, but seems like you haven’t. My babies will teach you what your mother didn’t.”

Vikram was already in the elevator, waiting for her. He opened the door of the room and brought Rocky and Sandy in, he let off their leashes.

“Attack!” Neha pointed at Rivan and both her Rottweilers leaped on him and began scratching and biting.

~

ETF Office

“Rawte? Where are Shree, Chotu and Karan?” Sameer came into Arjun’s cabin and saw him sitting silent, “Rawte? Ar..Arjun? Is everything okay?”

Arjun hugged him tight.

“Are you okay?” Sameer asked again.

“Yes.” Arjun said softly.

“I’m here, if you need.” Sameer said and patted his back.

~

“ETF! Don’t move!” Chotu said as he came in the hotel’s room. Shree and Karan entered behind him with their guns drawn,

“Stop!” Neha said. Rocky and Sandy stopped biting Rivan.

“Neha, what are you doing here?” Shree asked, “How did you find him?”

“I have the same question.” Neha said, “He called me here. But how did you find out?”

“Long short, Karan’s phone helped.” Shree said.

“Eeeiihh!” Chotu shrieked as he saw Rivan scratched and bitten, “You do not do this Neha!”

“It is a part of their training. My Sandy is such a quick learner!” She picked up Sandy, wiped blood off her mouth with tissues and snuggled. “How many copies do you have of the clips?”

“Just this one.” Rivan winced in pain.

“Come on! Everyone has at least one back-up!” Shree said.

“He saved this clips in his mail. So there’s a copy there.” Rivan said.

“I should have checked the mail as well.” Neha sighed.

“Get up now! You will be going to jail for at least 5 years and pay 10 lacs as fine under Section 67A of the IT Act.”

“Should I really file a case? Vik?”

“Consult your lawyer.” Vikram said modestly, “We should be going home now, it’s your lunch time.”

“I don’t wanna eat boiled veggies anymore.” Neha cried, “There’s a nice restaurant down the lane, serves some great food!”

“Your dietician will be mad.” Vikram said, “I’ll make you some pasta tonight.”

“With lots of cheese!” Neha grinned.

Vikram ignored her and leashed Rocky, “We leave now?”

“Thanks a lot for helping me, Shree, Chotu, Karan! You may keep him in custody, I’ll let you know by evening about the case.” She told the trio.

Karan smiled, “Thank you for believing in me.”

“That’s what friends are for!”

“You will be going to the jail-” Rivan tried again.

“If you find your brother’s dead body, come back and we shall meet in the court. Or go back and tell your dying mother that she failed at her job, quite spectacularly.” Neha said bitterly and walked out.

~

Rawte Mansion

During dinner, Arjun was silently listening to Neha talk about some movie while Vikram was pulling her leg.

“I swear if you say that again, I’ll kill you!” Neha pointed her fork at him.

“Sweet.” Vikram grinned.

“Bhaiya?” Neha stared at him for a few minutes after she finished eating, “Is there something you want to say?”

“Yeah..um.. ” Arjun looked at her, “I forgot, I brought chocolates for you.” He pulled out two half-melted dark chocolate packets.

“WOW!!” Neha said excitedly taking the chocolate.

“You cannot eat chocolate in a detox diet.” Vikram said snatching the chocolate from her hands.

“Fu-k you and your detox diet.” Neha glared, “Gimme my chocolates or I’ll kill you for sure this time.”

“Go on!” Vikram mocked her.

Neha pouted and started talking sweetly, “Pwease gimme my shocola”

“Eh!! Don’t! Stop making that face.” Vikram grumbled.

Neha looked at him teary eyed, “Pwease, half of it?”

Vikram sighed and gave her a quarter, “Do not ask for more.”

“Okay! You’re spared ’cause you made me scrumptious pasta and my soul was satisfied after eating it.” Neha savoured the chocolate piece.

Arjun embraced her warmly, “I’m always here for you...”

“What?” Neha frowned.

“Good night.” Arjun said and went to his room.

Neha shrugged, “What do you think that was?”

“I don’t know.” Vikram replied.

~

Later that night, Neha was sitting in her room, chatting with a girl when her phone buzzed. She picked up, “Hello!”

“Hey there woman!” A deep voice spoke in a calm, concerned manner.

Neha smiled, “Alec?”

“Yes. I’m really sorry for whatever happened to you dear. Those as-h-les have learnt their lesson, and will not hurt you again. I wanted to call you earlier but I wasn’t sure of what to say. How are you?” Sikander said.

“I’m good, alive!” Neha said.

“Nice! I can’t wait to see you darling. Take care. We meet soon.”

~

A week later,

After reaching ETF, Neha refused to get down the car, “I can’t do this. I don’t wanna be here. No. I can’t.” She panicked.

“Neha-” Arjun tried to talk.

“Leave me alone.” She said and turned away.



About 15 minutes later, Sameer came down in the parking lot, “Neha? Please come up.”

“I don’t-” She took a sharp breathe, “I don’t wanna be here, it’s very humiliating.”

“Neha, you have this job because you are a great cop. What others think of you is not important, what you think about yourself is. You are one of my best cops and I want you to be working for ETF. This is not just a job for you, you told me it was your passion. You decide what is more important.” Sameer said.

Neha remained thoughtful for some time, “You’re right Chief! Why should I care what the world thinks of me? Never did, never will.”

“That’s the spirit! So, you will be working in the Record Section. Take the last 10 years files of unsolved cases and categorize them into cases related to drugs, murder/homicide, kidnapping/abduction majorly and prepare a report.”

“Sounds interesting!” Neha nodded and started working in the Record Section.



At the end of the day, Neha was reporting her findings to Sameer when a teenager came in with a bouquet of wild flowers and asked Neha, “Are you Neha?”

“Yes, sweetheart!” She smiled at her.

“These are for you.” The girl said and ran away.

Neha looked at the flowers, “Seems like something my Myra would make for me.”

She read the note silently smiling, ‘I am sorry for what my people did to you. Please accept my apologies. I promise this would never happen again. I made this on my own, hope you like it. It is just like you, sweet, wild and beautiful. Love, Alec.’

“Who is Myra?” Sameer asked inquisitively.

“She was your classmate, right?” Arjun asked.

“Yeah, she’s the true and only love of my life.” Neha said dreamily, “It’s almost been seven years, three more and then we’ll be together again. I hope.”

“What is that?” Aisha asked.

“Oh, we have a pact, we had been dating when we were in school and we decided that ten years later, we would decide if we want to be together again or part ways. Meanwhile we explore ourselves.”

“You never told me she was your girlfriend!” Arjun said.

“We don’t out people like that. I had a crush on her since the day she joined our school in class 6. Its old school love! She brought me a flower everyday and I used to recite poetries to her. Man! I miss her so much!”

“Where is she now?”

“Australia. Quite a successful entrepreneur. Haven’t met her in last five years.”

“So she sent you these flowers?”

“Ah, no, this is my other lover who looks like the Greek god, Poseidon!”

“Another one? Looks are deceptive, be careful!” Arjun said.

“He helped me discard a dead-body without even asking my name, I know I can trust him.” Neha smiled and left.

~

Rawte Mansion,

“How was your day?” Vikram asked as they both sat for dinner.

“Better than I thought. I actually came across some really interesting cases.” Neha said as she took a helping of her favourite vegetables.

“Cool. Did you find something related to our case?”

“I found some tiny winy links.”

“That’s great. How much time do you think you need?”

“I’ve got this week, I’ll get something solid by the end of it.”

“Also, we need to setup a workstation. A secret place which no one can even think of.”

“We go there tomorrow and finalise.”

“Good.” Vikram smiled, “I’ll report Bull about the current scenario.”

“Schedule a video conf tonight.”

“On it.”



Neha was in her room, watching animated movie after dinner when her phone rang, “Hii!!”

“Hope you liked the flowers.” Alec said in his deep voice.

“I loved them. Thank you so much!” Neha said happily.

“Could we go for a date?” He asked.

“Sure, I’ve always enjoyed our dates. I’ll tell you in a day or two.” Neha said.

“I’ll be waiting. Take care.”



~

Next evening,

Neha drives Vikram to an apartment, “Let’s see if you like this one.” They take an elevator to reach the fifth floor.

“502. Aryan R.” Vikram reads the nameplate, “Your elder brother’s house?”

“An investment made by our father in his name.” She opened the door, “This is a safe place, the neighbours don’t interfere at all.”

“This is a penthouse! Are you sure I should be staying here?” Vikram asked looking around the house.

“Why not? There’s a secret room in here, where we could setup our base.” Neha said and led him into the room.

“Looks good!”

“So you wanna stay here or shall I show other houses?”

Vikram opened a window and felt the cool breeze, “This one works.”

“Cool!”

~*~

I'm reuploading the chapters here, they have been posted in FF section already. 😳

These are old updates na dear

As far as I remember I have read it before

I hope we get a new updates soon🤗

Originally posted by: golden_aura

These are old updates na dear

As far as I remember I have read it before

I hope we get a new updates soon🤗

Yes, I got the thread re-opened, posting old chapters first, new one is under construction😳

Hello dearies! Haven't seen you all in a long time! I'm reposting my story here, do scroll to pg 13 to catch up with he previous chapters! Stay tuned for more! Do drop in your comments! We're at the verge of completion! 😳

Chapter 7

Hola peeps! You might wanna catch-up with the old chapters while I come up with new ones! 😳

Chapter 7

Woah I loved the update ❤️❤️

It has everything in it. Starting from Dilemmas to Suspense to Anger, Guilt, and all gripping aspects.

Neha is such a badie. Gosh!! And powerpuff girls 🤩🤩 Woah! What about Sakshi? Did she poison Neha?

Something is surely wrong. I think Sakshi is a backstabber and Neha has an idea about it. Hence, she doesn't like her much.

Would love and am excited t read further.

Thanks for the tag ❤️❤️

Originally posted by: karuna_kini

Woah I loved the update ❤️❤️

It has everything in it. Starting from Dilemmas to Suspense to Anger, Guilt, and all gripping aspects.

Neha is such a badie. Gosh!! And powerpuff girls 🤩🤩 Woah! What about Sakshi? Did she poison Neha?

Something is surely wrong. I think Sakshi is a backstabber and Neha has an idea about it. Hence, she doesn't like her much.

Would love and am excited t read further.

Thanks for the tag ❤️❤️

Sakshi's past is almost here.. probably out in next chapter😳 (11th one)

Sure, stay tuned, posting next chapter real soon😳 *fingers crossed*