CHAPTER 4
Sakshi sat by the window,her mind replaying all the proceedings of the day. She knew that everyone knew and understood that Rathore was at fault and every single accusation that came from Riya was a hundred percent true. For long she also bore witness to Rathore's incriminating comments about Arjun. She saw how he would find the tiniest of Arjun's faults and brand it as the gravest sin ever committed.
But what was beyond her comprehension was how the meek and timid research specialist stood up to the Chief of the ETF. Well ex Chief but that didn't matter, he was still a force to reckon with. She wondered what had made her care so much for the ACP that currently lay in hospital. She wondered how close they were for Riya to warrant such a reaction, what was the nature of the relationship and what did Arjun think of Riya?
For whatever reason the very thought of them together hurt her and Sakshi couldn't help but wonder if she was wrong in her endeavours to pursue Arjun. But her heart won over, and she strengthen her will. Arjun was hers and she knew it. He needed a happy soul to save him from the darkness and Sakshi knew she would happily be it.
----------------------------------------
Riya was at her desk, still in her designated cubicle after refusing either of the ACP's cabins, typing away. She felt multiple eyes on her but didn't look up to give any of the people around her the satisfaction. She continued to work silently, until she felt a presence nearby. She closed the tab on her computer and looked up to find Shree standing a couple feet away. She swiveled her chair and stood up.
"What's up ?" She asked.
Shree stared at her for a full minute before speaking up,"Seriously Riya? What's up with you? "
Riya raised her eyebrow in question.
"Mein maanta hoon Rathore sir ne galat kiya Arjun Sir ke saath but that doesn't give you the right to treat him like crap."
Riya turned, took a deep breath and put her hands on top of her chair. "Maine aisa kya kardiya Shree? He got what he bloody deserved! And you and I know that was the respectful me talking. Karna hota toh bohat kuch kar chuki hoti."
"Oh that's rich" Said shree. "He was your mentor and that's how you treat him. You are here because of him damnit!! And besides who did you do all of this for ? The man who treated you like crap, never acknowledging your existence and downplaying you every time? That guy seriously??? Honge bhale ek world class officer but lemme tell you he is a shitty human. " Shree spat. "But nahi tumhe us insaan ke liye tere saare dost galat lag rahe hai!"
And that was the last straw. Riya had been holding her composure for over a month ever since she returned. But this , this was the limit. So she did what she had to do.
"Konse dost Shree?"
Shree froze ," Ab hum dos---"
"Tumlog dost ho mere ? Really that's news to me. Dost ho na mere? Where were you when I was lying half dead in the hospital in Delhi for years? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED SOMEONE? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE DEPARTNMENT HANDED ME OVER TO MY FAMILY? JAB KYU DOSTI NAHI DIKAHYI WHEN YOU KNOW OF THE SUFFERING AND ABUSE I HAD SUFFERED AT THEIR HANDS? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS AND CALLED YOU FIRST BECAUSE I NEEDED SOMEONE WHO CARED? Lekin tum , tum ne toh call hi kaat diya mere mooh par!!!" Riya cried. "Kahan the tab jab mujhe kisi ki zaroorat thi? Kitne calls kiye the maine tumhe aur chotu ku ? Kabhi aaye mere liye??"
Shree froze. He didn't expect her to bring that up. When she came back and didn't say anything he thought their actions didn't really affect her as much and all was good between the trio.
He tried to reason," Hum busy the Riya"
"Kab tak?Kab tak busy the Shree? Jo kabhi aaye hi nahi? Chalo leave nahi mili aane ek call toh kar hi sakte the tum dono .lekin woh bhi nai aaye Dosti kehto tum isse? Jo hamare beech tha na woh kabhi dosti thi hi nai Shree. You two were bloody using me for covering your mistakes and I being the fool I am did exactly that. That was no friendship.Lekin kaafi late realise hua hai mujhe."
Shree turned his head away. Riya stepped forward and stared at him dead in his eyes," When you lot forgot me, he didn't. He was there, everytime I needed somebody. Roz 10 calls aur 100 messages kuch chahiye Riya? Theek ho? Dawai li ya nahi ? Jab bhi hota Delhi aajate the doctor se baat karne aur mujhse milne. Bas 4 baar hi aa paaye lekin Mumbai se hi mera dhyaan rakha unhone ne. Mein toh lagti bhi kya thi unki? I was a damn junior, his subordinate. He could have very well moved past my carelessness. But nope. Despite his daily battles with his life and the hell your dear Rathore Sir was inflicting upon him he made time to make sure I was okay all those miles away."
Shree flinched not able to bear the truth bombs coming his way. And they hurt only because he knew she was right. He didn't think twice about her suffering at the hands of her abusive family once more and moved on. But what surprised him was how the tough ACP was concerned and caring towards his subordinate. True he had seen him go soft on her once or twice in the little time they all worked together, but this was new, on a whole another level.
He then looked at her and was about to say something when the door opened and in walked Chotu.
"Oye Kya khusur pusur chal rahi hai idhar?" Turning to Riya," aur tu kyu ye angry young woman ka character bani phir rahi hai. Bilkul suit nahi karta. Apne doston ke saath toh bilkul nahi."
Riya's eyes darted between the commando's and the techies, she might need anger management classes soon." Report's due in 4 hours. This is not an order of a so called friend. I am pulling rank here. So you and your friends better have it ready on time." Saying so she stormed off.
Chotu stared at her back as she walked and turned to Shree," ab isse kya hua?"
"Ehsaas"
---------------------------
Arjun was in his hospital bed carelessly flicking between the channels on the TV in his room. It was a slow weekday evening and there was nothing on the idiot box that caught his eye. He had found himself thinking of the affair of his beloved wife and soon his heart monitor beeped like crazy, causing the nurse to rush in and take control. She advised him to divert his attention.
Frustrated ed with the lack of attention seeking distractions on the Television, Arjun switched it off and lazily threw the remote on the stand beside his bed. He threw his head against the pillow. He could feel a headache creep up and massaged his temple. He had just closed his eyes and sunk in the pillow when he heard the door creak open. Not wanting to deal with anyone, he shut his eyes tightly.
On the other end of the room stood Rathore. He watched as his former friend sleep. Tears broke in his eyes when he saw the pain on his face. Arjun looked badly beaten up, not by any physical assault. Rathore knew his wounds ran deep, deep into his soul and they were manifesting in the form of forlorn pain on his face.
Tears turned into sobs and Rathore couldn't control himself.
The cries of his former partner forced Arjun to open his eyes. He was surprised to see Rathore standing at the end of his bed, crying. He cried, like a bawling baby who couldn't make sense of the world.
It made Arjun uncomfortable the way Rathore was crying. His chest tightened and hurt. He grabbed the shirt above the chest and massaged it
He felt it all coming back, the blithering pain, the unshed tears, the rage trickling in his vains and the thirst for revenge that made his throat run dry.
"Arjun"
Arjun visibly flinched and recoiled in his bed. The very voice kept bringing pain inducing memories. He shut his eyes.
"Arjun" came the voice again. "Please"
Arjun sunk further into the bed. His mind refused to corporate and all he could see were the images of his best friend and his wife.
"No" he said to himself.
"No."
Arjun could feel it. A door threatening to open, a monster taking shape in his being, it started with a lull, then it morphed into a sharp breeze, then a strong wind and finally into a disaster waiting to happen.
But he held on. No he told himself
Not now he kept telling himself
Rathore watched as Arjun's hands went in his hair and clutch them tightly. He saw him struggle.
"Arjun. Arjun I'm sorry. I'm really very sorry."
The doors flung open and the monster screamed.
Edited by ariya_ash - 1 years ago
comment:
p_commentcount