Part 12
“Where is Neil dad?” Mini asked as she looked behind his father to see whether Neil has come like he promised or not. “Mini, don’t get angry, listen to me calmly first….” Hanuman tried to explain but Mini didn’t let him. “So he hasn’t come.” Mini concluded from the way Hanuman was trying to prepare ground for explanation. “Yes, he couldn’t come….but there was emergency….havent you seen tv….the killer’s news is all over the tv. He couldn’t come in such circumstances. In fact, I am also leaving in just few minutes.” Hanuman Singh replied and looked at Mini hopefully.
“I don’t want to listen to anything dad. Look at Arya. She is so excited. All her friends have come but she is refusing to cut the cake because she wants to wait for her papa. Now what will I tell her?” Mini asked angrily and quashed his all hopes. “Mini, beta try to understand….” Hanuman again tried his best to handle the situation but Mini interrupted him, “Bas bahut ho gaya…..you try to understand dad….and make Neil understand if its possible that I cant go on like this…Arya cant go on like this….today he has ruined my daughter’s birthday. I know when I will tell Arya she will refuse to celebrate. This is the thing I feared always that Neil will end up hurting Arya with his careless ways. That man didn’t deserve a second chance. Let him know, its all over between us.” Mini announced her judgement and went inside. Hanuman Singh kept watching her as she went near Arya and whispered in her ears his papa wont be coming then Arya started crying and Mini going behind her before Arya closes herself inside her room. He could see before his eyes his daughter’s home once again was going to shatter. He closed his eyes in defeat and decided to return back as he knew Neil needs him right now
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“Mickey bring in the data baseof Dr. Isha’s clinic. If that Manmeet has challenged that he will do another murder in the same manner then he will again choose the next target from that database.” Neil stated. Mickey brought the database. “Sir, I have already selected those days on which he visited Dr. Isha’s clinic by the name of Bobby Bhatia and got it verified by Preet.”
“Good, now see on those days who else visited Dr. Isha. Look for the person who are achievers and perfect in all sense.” Neil instructed. “Yes, sir I have shortlisted such people. There are 6 people in all who visited clinic around same time to that of Bobby Bhatia. Three of them are housewives, one is a child, then there is one successful businessman but he is a recluse and also a criminal record in his name; so cant be said a perfect man.” Mickey shared the details.
“What about the last one?” Neil asked. “I think she is the one. Jasmeet aka Jazz, top model, has a loving family, no complaints, no police records, friendly nature…..she has all the qualities. I think she Manmeet’s next target. She will be attending a charity event tomorrow morning.” Mickey said.
“Perfect opportunity for the killer to attack or kidnapped her from there. I think we got the person and the venue of his next crime. He will come for Jazz tomorrow. Make necessary preparations, inform this Jazz. We will catch that b***ard tomorrow.” Neil said with confidence. In no time his orders were carried out by his team. Jazz was first afraid and said that she will cancel her plan to attend the charity event but Neil gave her assurance she agreed to help police though reluctantly. Neil made sure Jazz is given protection, the place will be well equipped with cctv cameras and additional force is deployed at the venue. He didn’t want to leave any loop hole to give Manmeet any opportunity to escape. All his team kept working whole night to make sure everything is according to the plan.
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Next morning Neil was ready with his team and whole force to arrest Manmeet as soon as he comes or try anything to harm Jazz. The charity event begins where Jazz was introduced to some of the participants. Neil and his team were waiting but Manmeet was nowhere to be seen.
“Mickey, call some of our officers back from the stage and the surrounding areas.” Neil instructed over the walky talky. “But this will put Jazz’s life in danger. Manmeet will be able to reach her easily.” Hanuman shared his worries. “That’s what I want. I think the security is too tight that he is not coming in front. I want to lure him by taking back those men from there. The moment he comes near we will catch him.”Neil explained his plan. Mickey did what he asked but almost the whole charity event came to an end but there was no sign of Manmeet anywhere.
“I think he is afraid. He got the two minute fame by sending that audio clip to the chanel but when he realized that what mistake he has done by openly challenging the police he backed off.” Hanuman Singh concluded when the event was over and nothing happened.
“I think sir is right. He might have come here but realized he cant do anything between this much of police so he might have changed his plan or something like that.” Mickey agreed with Hanuman. “No, there has to be some mistake….he is not the one who will back off so easily. The way he challenged us openly…there has to be something which we are missing.” Neil said in confusion.
“Mickey, are you sure you have gone through that clients database properly?” Neil asked. “Yes sir, I checked it three times. There were only six people and among them it was only Jazz who fulfilled all the criteria.” Mickey replied. “Then why he hasn’t attacked her? Mickey go through that list again and double check all those shortlisted 6 peoples again.” Neil instructed.
“Mickey will do that but first you come to home with me. You need rest. You are working since yesterday morning without any break.” Hanuman singh suggested. Neil was about to refuse when Mickey insisted him too to take some rest. “That b***ard has not only challenged you. He has challenged whole police force and we wont let him win sir.” Mickey assured him and Neil went to home with Hanuman.
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“Oh, so finally you are here. Fursat mil gayi aakhir tumhe.” Mini taunted seeing Neil. “I can explain everything if you give me chance but first tell me where is Arya. I know she must be very upset. I want to wish her.” Neil replied. “Her birthday was yesterday. It has gone…passed….now she doesn’t need your belated wishes. You had your chance and you wasted it. Now no need to make her cry any more she has already cried enough because of you.” Mini told him.
“Mini…not again please….I am really tired….we can fight some other time…let me see Arya first.” Neil replied getting irritated. “Don’t you dare take that tone with me Neil Oberoi and I wont allow you to see my daughter. You always give her pain.” Mini retorted back. “What did you say? Say it again. How dare you to say something like that….you cant keep me away from her.” Neil almost threatened.
“You can meet her. We will be a family again…..everything you promised me will be a truth but you have to take a decision now….whether you want us or your job? If you chose us then you have to quit your job. That’s it.” Mini gave final ultimatum. “Mini, what are you saying? How can you put such conditions?” Hanuman Singh asked trying to save the situation. “Please dad, stay out of it. Its between me and him and it needs to end once and for all.” Mini replied.
“So, Neil Oberoi, chose…..your family or your job?” Mini asked looking directly in Neil’s eyes. “I cant believe….again….after all these years…again we are back to that point where you refused to see any logic and reason behind your absurd demand of choosing in between family and job. Why just why cant you try to understand my problems for once Mini…why put me through that again and again? For God sake! just grow out of your stupid game.” Neil shouted in frustration. “Don’t shout at me. And don’t blame it on me. Its you who have ruined everything not just one time but two times now.” Mini started sobbing. She didnt expect his outrage like this.
“You know what? Arya was so happy she was planning and imagining the moment again and again when she will cut the cake with both of us but you broke her little dreams……you always do that…..I was skeptical at first but when you promised me I don’t know why my foolish heart fell for your words again. I too had planned a surprise for you….I was going to tell you that you are going to be a father again…..but you ruined it all….now I am not even sure whether I should bring this baby to this world or not.” Mini cried her heart out.
Both Hanuman and Neil was surprised at the news but before they could have felt happy her words sunk in fully and Neil realized what she just said. He rushed towards her immediately, “Hey, don’t say such things about our baby. We will have this baby and raise him together. I am sorry…I shouldn’t have shouted on you….I was frustrated….that killer…he is getting on my nerves…I am so sorry for behaving rudely like this…but please don’t think about aborting this baby….ok?” Neil cupped her face.
Mini jerked his hands away, “I don’t need your sorry Neil….I need you…your support….your presence in our little happy and sad moments but you never have enough time for us.” “I promise, I will make everything right…..just give me few days time…once this case is over….I…” Neil begin but Mini interrupted him. “You and your false promises….I cant bear it anymore.” Mini said in decisive tone.
“Mini…..you are not in a position to understand anything right now…..we will talk later and I will explain everything to you but don’t ask me to quit the job….I want both…I love my work but I love my family also….dont ask me to chose one…Whether you believe me or not….I promise I will make everything alright. But please for now….let me see Arya…I want to apologies to her for missing her birthday.” Neil pleaded. Mini was emotionally drained from their argument and the fact that she is pregnant again came out like this. As much as she wanted to argue further but she didn’t have any energy left for it. She just couldn’t deny him.
Neil stood up and made Mini sit on the chair properly. He handed her a glass of water. She shook her head in no but he made her have it, "Dont be angry on yourself because of me please." Neil said and kissed her forehead. Mini closed her eyes feeling tired. She found solace in that warm kiss. She acknowledged that after fighting with him to end everything between them her heart very shamelessly finds his touch very soothing to her nerves. He was the pain as well as the remedy of the pain in her life. She was in emotional mess due to him thats why it was always so difficult for her to part ways with him. Thats why she couldnt divorced him. Thats why she melted and forgave him so easily when he came back. He had that effect on her.....always. Now she is pregnant again with his child which has only adding more complication to their already complicated relationship. But till when it will go on like this, She thought.
Neil went into Arya's room to wish her but couldnt find her there. He thought she will be in Mini's room and went there all the while thinking how will he handle the situation. He didnt want to leave this job for any cost but he equally loves his family. First Arya and now he felt he is gonna miss his another baby's childhood. Cant he get both of them. Why he has to chose everytime? When Mini said she is pregnant he was very happy but when she said she is not sure about having the baby he felt somebody burst the bubble of his happiness. How could she think something like that. How can she vent out her anger which for meant for him on their baby? He just cant live without her why she doesnt get this simple thing in her head. HE needs her as much as she needs him but cant just leave his job and be by her side 24*7.
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Mickey was going through the files again when he read the details of those 6 people again. He saw the details of child among those 6 people to which he didn’t pay attention first as he thought killer wont be interested in a 5 year old child but now as he was staring at the screen reading the details of that child he felt that he has stopped breathing. “Oh my God! That’s why that Manmeet challenged Neil sir openly…..he wanted to target him personally. Jazz was not his next victim that’s why he didn’t come on charity event. His next target was this child.” Mickey thought as he kept staring the screen which had the details of the child, “Arya Oberoi. Parents- Neil Oberoi, Mini Oberoi, here for consultation on broken family and peer pressure in young age.” Mickey quickly ran to his jeep to inform Neil and Hanuman about it.
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Neil had looked into every room but couldn’t find Arya anywhere. “Where is Arya? She is not in the house.” Neil asked from Mini. “What? But after last night’s party she was very upset and was not even speaking with me so I told Rani di to take her to the room and put her to sleep. Since then she hasn’t come out. I thought she was in her room only.”Mini replied.
“Call Rani di now….ask her about Arya.” Neil said. Mini nodded and dialed Rani’s number. “Mini di, I was taking Arya to her room when someone came and wished Arya. He gave her a chocolate and asked me to leave as he said he will chat with Arya for a little while and will take her to you. ”Rani informed. “Rani di, how could you let her go with any unknown person without informing me? How can you be so careless?” Mini scolded her. “Mini di, he was not unknown. He was from your school. I have seen him with you few times when he dropped you home. And after so much crying Arya finally looked happy seeing her favorite chocolates so I didn’t doubt.” Rani explained.
“Who ….who was that man?” Neil asked with shaking voice as he already guessed the answer but wanted to listen some other reply from Rani di desperately. Hanuman also looked at Neil equally horrified from the revelation while Mini was confused seeing both of them. “He said his name was Manmeet Malhotra and he asked me to give his greeting to you and specially to Neil bhaiyya.” Rani informed.
“NO…..no….this cant be true….NOooo….that b***ard…he took my baby with him.” Neil screamed and threw the phone in anger shattering it into pieces. “Neil, what happened? What do you mean?” Mini asked as panic gripped her heart too. “That Manmeet…..he is the real serial killer. We just came to know yesterday. He challenged Neil on the tv openly that he will murder another person in the same manner today that’s why we were so busy yesterday. We thought his next victim was Jazz the super model…but…but he kidnapped our Arya.” Hanuman informed in place of Neil as he was still in shock. “What!!! My Arya…kid….kidnapped….by serial killer….and he is going to….kill…her….that Manmeet…” Mini couldn’t complete her sentence as she felt her head was spinning and she was losing her balance. She fell down on ground with a thud.
to be continued......
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