Part 13
Mickey rushed to Hanuman’s house to inform them about Arya being on Manmeet’s list next but he saw the scene there and understood Manmeet has already done his work. “I am sorry sir. Its all my mistake. I should have looked into that list properly.” Mickey said as he hung his head down in guilt. “It was nobody’s fault. That b***ard made sure that we panic and commit mistake that’s why all that challenge on tv and shit.” Hanuman Singh put his hand on Mickey’s shoulder.
“How is Neil sir and your daughter? It must have affected them a lot.” Mickey asked in concern. “Mini is unconscious. Doctor is checking her. Neil is with her inside. He is policeman….he will handle himself….I am worried for Mini….she was already going through emotional turmoil and she is pregnant….now this news…I just hope everything is fine with her. Just then doctor came outside the room. “Don’t worry, she is just under stress that’s why she passed out. I have given medicine to her. You need to take care of her now as she is pregnant. She should not be put through stressful situations.” Doctor advised Neil and he just nodded.
“Tell me Mickey, you have some lead about that Manmeet.” Neil said. “I am sorry sir, I have tried my best but couldn’t think of anything.” Mickey showed his disappointment again. Just then Neil’s phone rang it was an unknown number. He picked the call immediately, “Hello, Manmeet…is that you….leave my daughter you mother f**ker or else I swear I’ll kill you just like you kill your victims.” Manmeet’s laughter was heard from the other side. “Super cop….I proved today you are a super looser.” Manmeet laughed again. Neil was about to answer when his phone was suddenly snatched away from him.
All of them looked to find Mini standing there shouting on phone, “Manmeet, how dare you to kidnap my daughter? Leave her. She has not done anything wrong to you. She is just an innocent little child.” Mini cried over phone. Neil again took the phone from her hands and put it on loudspeaker.
“She has not done anything to me but you and your husband did. You rejected me and your husband insulted me. So your daughter has to pay the price.” Manmeet replied. “So now you are making it personal. You were targeting people because you hated how perfect they were inspite of suffering from mental ailments . You are jealous of the fact they all excelled in their life inspite of their problems while you turn out to be a loser.” Neil instigated him so that he would commit some mistake or share some detail.
“Yes, you are right Neil Oberoi. I was always rejected emotionally by my own father. He never treated me as his son…why…just because I was an introvert kid, suffered from anxiety, I was not confident enough…..he thought I was not presentable enough to the relatives, didn’t have nice grades to show off…so he kept torturing me. But I grew up I found out that these people….they are also like me….but their family loves them….they are successful in life…nobody judge them because they visit the psychiatrist. Then why I suffered this treatment alone. They were all perfect. Loved by all. Cared for....even when they were not mentally perfect….they were perfect for their family….for the world. But me….this world has not extended the same courtesy to me. I was ridiculed, made fun of and rejected by this society and my own father again and again. So I murdered them all with such a perfection that this world will remember me…..for years to come. I cut them into pieces like this world broke my self esteem into small pieces.” Manmeet explained his revenge theory.
“To hell with your bullshit. And you are one coward loser. Arya is just a 5 year old kid. She doesn’t fit into your so called criteria. You just targeted her to get back to me.” Neil shouted on phone. “Who says she doesn’t fit. Always have good grades in school, apni family ki jaan hai. And not to forget one very special thing that makes her perfect……Mini only told me that day…..because of Arya she has gone back to you….a daughter who saved her parents marriage....brought her parents together once again….A PERFECT DAUGHTER.” Manmeet laughed evilly and cut the call.
As Neil’s mind finally registered his words the images of other victims mutilated bodies came in his mind and he quickly shut his eyes to block those images. He shuddered at the possibility of finding Arya in that state. He cant lose control now. He had to be strong for Mini…for Arya.
“Neil….what are you doing here? What is your team doing? Just go and find my daughter. Bring her back….I cant live without her….find her please.” Mini cried as he held his collar shaking him. “We cant do anything now. All our men are working since yesterday….dhundna to chhodo…kisi mein khade rehne ki bhi himmat nahi hai is waqt…and we don’t even have any clue also….so….” Hanuman Singh said. Neil gave him confused look as he didn’t get it why he is saying such things then it dawned upon him why he is doing so. “Dad, not now…this is not the time….she is already under stress. ”Neil said to stop Hanuman from going forward with this class. There was no time for this preaching right now.
But Hanuman Singh didn’t listen to him, “This is the right time son. She can understand this now more than ever.” Hanuman Singh replied while Mini kept looking both of them in confusion. She shouted when she couldn’t take it anymore, “What are you guys talking about. Why are you wasting time here and what did you mean you cant do anything right now. So what if all of your men are working since yesterday…its their duty….they are responsible for saving people’s life…for maintaining law and order…so they better go and search for my daughter.”
“Waah! Aaj tumhari beti ki baari aayi to achanak police ki duty yaad aa gayi tumhe. Tumhari beti ki jaan khatre mein hai toh sab apna aaram bhul jaye, apna ghar bar bhul jaye aur tumhari beti ko dhundne mein lag jaye….zara socho jo log mare wo bhi kisi ke bête, kisi ke bhai, kisi ki biwi, kisi ki behen…na jaane kitne rishto se jude the…jinke kaatil ko pakadne ki koshsih mein hum log din raat lage the….aur na jane kitne hi logo ko insaaf dilane mein police wale apna sab kuch bhul kar lage rehte hain….tab to tumne Neil ko kabhi uski duty yaad nahi dilai….in fact tumhe to bura lagta tha…ki duty jaye bhaad mein….dusre log jaye bhaad mein…wo sab kuch chhod kar bas tumhare pas rahe….phir aaj kyu takleef ho rahi hai tumhe?” Hanuman taunted.
Mini sat down on the ground crying loudly now. "Dad, enough now stop it. She is already not well." Neil said as he made her sit on the chair. Mini put her hand around his waist and hugged him tightly. First time she realized what Neil and his dad were always trying to make her understand. First time she didn’t have any answer to their question as she felt the pain of being a victim’s relative…that helplessness…that fear of losing the loved one and when their only hope is from police. “I am sorry….I didn’t realize….I don’t know anything…just find my Arya and bring her back.” Mini closed her eyes in defeat and fresh tears came out of them.
“Don’t worry. We will find her soon. I promise this….not only as her father but as a police officer also. I will bring her back to you.” Neil assured her. “Aur bhale hi sab officers do din se lagataar kaam kar rahe hain par phir bhi ek call par sab kuch chhodkar wo wapas aa jayenge Arya ko dhundne ke liye….ise hi kehte hain jazba….duty ke prati samarpan…inme se agar ek bhi kabhi apne aaram apne parivar ka sochne lage to phir ye police, police nahi rahegi.” Hanuman Singh said and put his hand on Mini’s head to give her assurance. “Mickey, ask everyone to report immediately.” Hanuman Singh ordered. “Yes sir.” Mickey saluted and left to call everyone back.
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“Mickey, have you traced the number from which he called me?” Neil asked. “Yes sir, but no use. It kept bouncing to different locations….may be some latest software or something. I have put IT team to find the correct location but it will take time.” Mickey informed.
“Bring the audio clip he sent to that chanel. May be we can find something from it.” Hanuman Singh suggested. Mickey brought the audio clip and they played it on repeat but couldn’t find anything. He was about to turn it off when something caught Neil’s attention. “Play it again and pause it after 10 minutes.” He said. Mickey paused it and they listened it carefully. There was some disturbance in line and for few seconds Manmeet’s voice didn’t sound clear.
“What is this disturbance?” Hanuman asked. “Exactly, now listen to this.” Neil said and played the conversation that was saved in his phone when Manmeet had called him. The same disturbance can be heard in that call also. “It sounds exactly same and look at the timings. He called me at 2.00 pm and this disturbance comes exactly at 2.05pm. In the audio clip also media chanel claimed that he sent that clip to them on one of their member’s mobile at around 1.55 pm. Here the disturbance comes after 10 minutes….that means….it cant be a problem of telephone network.This is something else.” Neil explained. “Mickey, get it checked and asked our IT team to clear this voice and find out what is it exactly.” Hanuman Singh replied.
After sometime Mickey came and shared that the disturbance was nothing but a sound of train. “That’s great news. That means he hiding somewhere around the railway station. Bring me the map of the city.” Neil instructed. “I think we should also ask Sarab Malhotra about it. After all he is his father he must know about him or any place where he could go.” Hanuman suggested. “Good idea, bring him here.” Neil instructed.
Mickey brought the map of city while Hanuman brought Sarab there. “See, its day time and one of the busiest hour of city as everyone is either going on lunch break or returning from it so sound of the trains will not be audible far away. His hideout must be in close vicinity of railway station. Roughly around 1 km diameter of it.” Neil said as he looked the map and marked the areas where Manmeet could be hiding.
“Officer, he could be at the muktidham.” Sarab informed. “Muktidhaam? Why?” Hanuman asked. “Its located near the railway station and at that place his mother’s last rituals were completed. He goes to that place whenever he is very upset or happy.” Sarb explained. “Mickey form 5 teams. Two teams will come with me at that muktidham and other teams will keep searching surrounding areas as I have marked as we cant take chance and waste our time.” Neil instructed and Mickey complied immediately.“Thanks for your help.” Neil said to Sarab. “No need for thanks….I have contributed to make him like that…if I can somehow help you…it will be my penance. ”Sarab replied.
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So ja chanda, raja so ja
Chal sapno mein chal
Neend ki pariyan pahenke aayi
Pairo mein paayal
Tujhko apne naram paron par lekar jayengi
Sone ka ek des hai jiski sair karayengi
Manmeet kept singing as he caressed Arya’s face. “You know Arya my mother used to sing this lullaby for me. She was the sweetest thing ever happened in my life.” Manmeet said. Arya didn’t understand anything. She could barely open her eyes now. Ever since she had eaten those chocolates given by Manmeet she could feel something was not right. She felt her head heavy and eyes droopy. She felt nauseous every now and then she couldn’t understand why her Manmeet uncle was behaving so strange. He was not taking her back to home in spite of her repeated request. She was missing her mumma and papa now. “I want to go home…”she pleaded again.
“Oh my sweety pie. You will now directly go to heaven. You are an innocent little angel. You don’t belong to this world. Manmeet uncle will send you to heaven. You will experience a little pain when I will cut you into pieces as you are still awake but what to do? I have no time. The poison I gave you is slow. I cant wait till it affects you fully as that dog Neil can come here sniffing you.” Manmeet said and picked up the garden scissors from the ground.
I have nothing against you and I didn’t even plan to murder you initially. I had chosen that Jazz first but you mumma and papa pissed me off. So I had to change my plan to teach them a lesson.” Manmeet said and brought the garden scissors close to Arya’s hand. He put her hand between the scissors. Even in that half conscious state Arya felt something bad was about to happen to her. She gasped when she saw Manmeet has put her hand in between a large scissors. She turned pale in fear. She wanted to scream but couldn’t, her throat was choked….she couldn’t utter a single word. Tears started flowing from her eyes continuously. She closed her eyes and remembered her papa’s story how he used to say never give up in difficult times and fight with every ounce of power you have left with you. She opened her eyes with determination and screamed with all her might, “Papa….help me.”
Neil and his team were searching in the muktidham but they couldnt find Manmeet here. They were about to return when Neil heard Arya’s voice. He and Hanuman immediately turned towards the backyard like place from where the voice came. They rushed there but again found nothing. Neil kicked the garbage trunk placed there in anger was shocked to find the trap door on the floor. They opened it and found staircase leading into the basement. They immediately came down. Hanuman just froze at the horrible sight in front of him. Manmeet was about to cut Arya’s hand and she was writhing to free herself. But Neil was quick and fired at his hand. Garden scissors fell from his hands and other officers run to catch him.
Hanuman Singh finally came to his senses and rushed towards Arya. He picked up Arya from the floor and Neil also came towards her. “Are you alright my princess?” He asked kissing her again and again. “Papa….you came…..you came for me….I love you papa.” Arya whispered as she took a labored breath.
“What have you done to her you b***ard?” Hanuman Singh asked as he hit Manmeet. “I fed her the same poison last night. Even if you have arrived here you wont be able to save her…she is going to die…its too late now…she will die anytime now….you are a loser..Neil Oberoi….she will d….” Manmeet couldn’t complete his sentence as Neil shot him repeatedly. Manmeet fell on ground as he died but Neil kept firing in anger. “Stop it Neil he is dead. Leave him. We have to take Arya to hospital.” Hanuman reminded him and Neil finally stopped firing at him.
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Arya was rushed to the hospital. Doctor immediately took her for stomach pumping to clean out poison. After that they shifted her to ICU and administered antidote to her. Neil kept seeing her through the glass door of ICU as no one was allowed to visit her yet. He saw her fighting off with death. Desperately trying to win and return back to her mumma and papa. He remembered her antics, her cute jokes and mischiefs….he remembered how she had wished to celebrate her birthday with him and he couldn’t even give her that. He broke down crying like a small child.
Mini put her hand on his shoulder for assurance but he hold her like it was his last hope. “You scold her when she doesn’t listen to you right….and she do as you say. Go scold her again…bring her back to me….I want my princess back….I am such a bad father….I have put her life not once but two times in danger….first because of my negligence and now because of my stupidity…I was so stupid not to realize Manmeet’s plan beforehand….God is punishing me for being such a bad father.” Neil cried like a child.
“Stop it. You didn’t do anything purposefully. It was not your fault.” Mini tried to pacify him. “Just save her…I promise I will never go away from you two…I’ll do whatever you say…I’ll quit the job…I love her…I love you both…more than my job…more than anything….God! just give me another chance I want to live with my family.” Neil broke down completely while saying and sat on the floor. Mini also sat down with him hugging him. Both of them kept praying to God for their daughter and God listened to them as doctor finally declared Arya out of danger. They went inside to see her when she gained consciousness. She smiled looking at them and Neil almost ran to her. He sat on the edge of the bed and Mini also sat on other side of bed. "Princess, I am so sorry I missed your birthday. But from now on, all my time is yours." Neil said and kissed on her forehead while Mini smiled looking at them.
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4 years later
Mini was busy as usual in running behind 3 year old Shaurya and he was giving her hard time as he was too fast for her. Arya was laughing on Mini. “Shut up and help me Arya.” Mini scolded her. “No mumma, isn’t it enough that you torture me by making me drink that yuckish milk now you want to torture poor Shaurya also” Arya replied and cheer up for Shaurya to run faster while making faces at Mini.
“Princess, what I told you last time? No provoking Shaurya for doing mischiefs because this little miscreant gives headache to your mumma.” Neil replied as he caught Shaurya and took him back to Mini who glared at Shaurya and gestured him to finish the milk. “Sorry papa….but it was fun.” Arya replied giggling.
“It was fun….suna iski baatein…dadi amma ban gayi hai bilkul. Ek toh school mein job karke thak jati hoon main phir pura din inke shaitano ke peechhe bhago...pareshan kar rakha hai in dono ne.” Mini complained. "Chill! bachhe hain...wo shaitani nahi karenge to kya hum karenge?" Neil laughed. "Waise idea itna bura bhi nahi hai....are you in a mood for little shaitani tonight?" Neil teased her. "Shut up! ye dono tumhari shaitaniyo ka hi natija hai." Mini glared at him.
All of them sat at breakfast table. Mini smiled looking at her perfect family. She remembered how when Arya was discharged from the hospital Neil remained true to his promise and was serious about quitting the job as he had understand the value of family. But Mini had also understood the importance of his duty and his love for it. She stopped him from doing that.
They all have moved to Amritsar with Neil. Though Neil had not quit the job but took the posting at police training academy as a trainer of new recruits. It was a simple 9 to 5 job which gave him enough time for spending it with his family. Mini had tried to persuade him not to do this because of her but he had refused saying that he wants to be there for Mini in her pregnancy and dont want to miss out any important moments like their baby’s first words, his birthday, the moment he will stand up all by himself, the moment he will walk by himself….the first time he will call him dada.
Since then life was a bliss for them. But Mini knew Neil missed his old field job. He didn’t show but he missed it. From some days he was a little distracted. Neil got a call but he cut it quickly. Mini noticed this and sighed. It was happening from some days now she tried to ask him but he brushed off the topic saying it was nothing.
Just then Arya switched on the tv. A news was coming on it about a gang rape case. “One whole week has been passed and police have no clue about it. Is govt. sleeping. Has this state become unsafe for girls? A girl was gang raped and brutally murdered and police didnt even arrested anyone till now.” News anchor said. Then they started showing disturbing images of victim’s body. Arya screamed as she was scared from it. Mini immediately rushed towards her and switched off the tv. “What has happened to these chanels. How they have become so insensitive.” Neil condemned the trp hungry media.
Arya was hugging Mini. She slowly pulled apart and asked very innocently, “Mumma, what were they saying on the news? What is meant by rape?” Mini gasped as she didn’t know how to answer it. Today’s children are exposed to so many things how to control what they see and what not and how to answer these kind of difficult questions. Mini tried but couldn’t come up with any answer. She looked at Neil for help. “Princess, you are too young to understand all this. We will tell you everything once you become a little mature. Till then I can only tell you that rape is a very terrible thing…a heinous crime.” Neil handled the situation somehow.
“Papa, but that girl in the news. She was dead and they were saying police is not doing anything. Papa, the person who did that terrible thing to that girl will be living freely? Nobody will punish him?” Arya asked another question. This time Neil was very disturbed. He couldn’t answer and left the room. Mini noticed this and went behind him.
“Sir, I understand the pressure and media trial but you try to understand my situation. I cannot lose my family again. I deliberately took this posting now I cant….” Neil was on his phone. He suddenly stopped as he saw Mini coming into the room. “…I’ll call you later.” Neil cut the call.
“So, they are calling you for another case?” Mini asked. “No…its nothing like that. It was…” Neil tried to explain. “Don’t lie Neil…I have already heard what you just said and I am noticing you from some days now. Its that gangrape and murder case right?” Mini asked. Neil just nodded his head.
“You miss it right? Those field posting days…..chasing criminals…putting them behind bars.” Mini asked as she looked into his eyes for searching truth. Ever since he has took posting here he keeps getting calls to lead the investigation of some or other case but he didnt took any of it but this case....the severity of it disturbed him a lot and he could relate to it as a father of a daughter. He was in dilemma what to do? “Yes, I miss it but over the years I have come to realize that its not as important as my family. Mini, when I took this posting I didn’t do any sacrifice. I did it deliberately to spend time with you. So stop thinking like I have made some great sacrifice and I am sad here.” Neil replied honestly.
“I know Neil….you don’t need to give explanation. And I had also understood it long back that what you do …your service…your duty…its for the greater good of people. It has made you what you are today….I am not that immature and nagging wife now who cant handle family on her own for few days….I want you to go….” Mini held his hands in hers.
“Mini…you don’t need to…” Neil tried to say no but Mini didn’t let him complete. “Neil…I want you to go….go and prove once again they don’t call you ‘the super cop’ just like that. Go so that I can answer Arya’s question. Anyone who commits such heinous crime will be arrested and punished for it.” Mini encouraged him.
“Thanks….I was…in dilemma from last few days…my duty was calling me on one side while on other side I didn’t want to leave you guys. I promise I will find that b***ard and will try to come as soon as possible.” Neil promised as he kissed Mini on forhead. “I know.” Minisaid as she smiled at him with proud. "And you are not a nagging wife...may be a jhagdalu a little bit." Neil teased her and Mini hit him on his shoulder playfully.
“Jai hind sir! Neil Oberoi here, will report on duty tomorrow.” Neil said and cut the call.
The End
A big thanks to all of you for your support, likes and comments.
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