Enigma (Revised) (I)

A note : Yes this is the revised version of Enigma and I truly hope you all will love this part of it too!

PROLOGUE

Moscow, 2012

I watched the person’s pensive and fitful stance. I took a sharp intake of breath as I was filled in with the details of the gruesome death of a pregnant wife of one of the top most officers of India.

It was not much surprising that the person in front of me was least affected by it. Scratching the wooden edge of the table the person relaxed against the rickety chair and kept the athletic legs on the table “Strange” was all that the person muttered.

“Strange?” I felt compelled to ask. “He’s never got personal… in any of his crimes he has never got personal. Agreed Rawte’s a tough nut but then there were mafias who were a bigger issue than Rawte yet none got hurt the way Rawte got.” The person gulped a glass of chilled water and wiped the little trail trickling down.

“Should we deploy them?” I asked “Yep, I feel something’s big is going to happen at the narcotics end in India. According to my sources some Emergency Tough…”

“Task Force” I corrected “Aha, create a base there… I need to infiltrate in that E.T.F, something’s telling me the swine of that commissioner hasn’t created this force to just dilly around with a few cases.” the person growled.

“I know. But does it need both of our presence? I mean what will I do in the narcotics ring in India?” I grumbled while a chuckle spread through the room.

“Oh my dear Kappy!” the person mocked my name in the perfect manner of the woman who meant the most to me - Sakshi Anand “Yes Verma!” I snarled back. “Can I ever do anything without you? No right… as far as they are concerned… it’s going to be a suicide mission for our troop. There are two things to be sorted.” Agent V grew serious.

“One, there’s a mole in E.T.F. Second, this time the biggest drug exchange is going to happen in India as ‘you-know-who’ is coming himself to India, that’s a first.” I agreed with Verma’s need to think that things were going different.

“Too many firsts Kappy dear, too many. A man who never dirties his hand with the killing of family kills an officer’s wife personally, a man who never touched the soil of India is planning to go to India in a few year’s time. Too many firsts for comfort!” Verma grew exasperated.

“I know Verma, we shall follow his lead to India. Do you think silicon will work perfect for the masks? I do have a slight doubt about the voice transmitter.” I expressed my concern as Verma flayed me off “We don’t have a man showcasing his list of alphabets in the form of degrees, let him do his job perfectly. In the mean time… damn I am hungry!” Verma scowled and stood while I laughed off.

“I miss Sakshi…” I sighed when Verma squeezed my shoulder “Let me tell you one thing Kappy, actually many. First of all Samrat’s death will be avenged. Secondly Sakshi still loves you, yeah she might have been hurting in the beginning… now she feels for you beyond everything.” a small glint in Verma’s eyes warmed my frozen heart.

I engulfed Verma into a tight hug while Verma laughed “You are doing some serious trouble to my image by these too tight hugs! I need to get married one day!”

With that once best friends and now partners in crime, Verma and I - Kapoor - are on our way back to India, revisiting the haunted past.

~*~

CHAPTER 1

Timeframe

Mumbai, 2013

“I cannot believe this! You call yourself the Chief of some Task Force and you cannot even understand if I am an undercover agent, okay I agree I am a fabulous undercover agent but you aren’t a constable are you? An Assistant Commissioner of Police!  Over that instead of drilling me for information or catching me you went on to inform the others about me and got them to investigate over my neatly laid plans and kaboom! There’s goes my eight months in the mission! What do you think of yourself Mr. Sameer Dam Singh Rathore!” I scrunched my nose as the woman with wild curls was glaring and shouting at me for the past five minutes.

“It’s my fault.” The least bothered smug reply came from my once upon a time friend Arjun Rawte. “So what! You’re second in command. Not first!” She snapped back and I glared at my teammates to suppress the giggle which spread instantly. I found it hard to control the laughter myself when I noticed his darkened expression and a fluster for a few seconds.

“I wasted all my time seducing you on the dance floor! I should have caught hold of this ‘mucchad’!” She poked my chest while I stepped back in surprise. I touched my mustache in hurt of my vanity.

“This is the ETF, who actually ends up destroying information instead of gaining! I mean this technical expert with hair imported from the Africans had no idea to read through the subtle codes impregnated at every nook and corner! And this Maggi noodle haired forensic expert of yours clearly didn’t notice that I being a drug girl didn’t infuse a life killing drug rather a simple sedative dosage! And over that this Bruce Lee into three commando was literally shying at a girl’s advances! And how can I forget your all glory second in command who forgets more than half of the time that you’re first in command! This is the E.T.F!” She blew away her curls and seethed in anger while I found fury embed in me.

She just didn’t insult each and every member of my team in front of me.

“Precisely, and now we are having a so called ammunitions expert who is busy blasting at a responsible officer wearing clothes which shame the word known as fabric! Over that Miss. Ayesha Kapoor it would be much more appreciable if you could have used your brains to not have seduced Rawte on the floor and instead reveal the necessity information instead of making moves which would make us blow your cover up. Some brains I must say.” I snapped back at her while her plump lips parted in annoyance and anger.

I might have laughed at her then and there and might have avoided the little spark yet there was something special in this girl.

It was good that another crazy member had come to the team, when I scanned each and every member of my team for any sort of odd reaction.

From the time when Rawte was rejected to be the chief and I was put on and asked not to give particular files to him because of Rawte’s infamous anger I knew then and there something was wrong.

I had known long ago that Rawte wasn’t lying. Sikandar had to exist. A man who has witnessed the murder of his wife wouldn’t lie under any circumstance. Why would he? I would have agreed with him unless I found the commissioner sporting a satisfied smile on knowing that I was against him made me stop my advance from comforting my best friend.

In an effort to dig out the truth I had lost my friend in the process.

There was a mole in my team, or was he/she yet to come? I knew that the ETF was designed to cover up a few tasks. How strange can people get, creating a force so as to it can be a storehouse of the “classified” files. I myself was ready to destroy my team in a few years time.

All I needed at the moment was time.

Rawte had grumbled a few times over the cases we had received. I knew he had a hunch with the circumstances ETF was put up with and the cases as well. He was silent… way too silent at the moment.

My heart bled for his lost state yet my hands were tied. I had known too much right now. I wished from somewhere we would get a breath of life.

Mumbai, 2014

“I am right, again! Didn’t I just destroy your hattrick of being correct ACP sahab?” The chirpy voice which floated through the conference hall made my day.

Let me complete, made my day terrible.

As the second in command - in perfect accordance to that stubborn Ayesha Kapoor, I, Arjun Suryakant Rawte had been piled with unnecessary work. I had had enough from my life that I found another trouble.

Alright, cutting out the exaggeration, she isn’t a serious or grave trouble… but she is one heck of an annoying kid! She’s a mere five years junior to me but she is mentally twenty years younger to me!

She propped her elbows on my desk and swiped her hair across which sent a tantalizing essence of passion fruit and musk. “So ACP sahab, you’re zipped up for the first time! I must since the day I have come to this office as an investigative reporter, since that day this is the biggest achievement of my life. Didn’t I state that the wife and the driver had run away! And before you argue that it was a stupid movie let me put forth that movies are inspired from real life!” She thumped her palm on the table which followed with my glass of tea spilling over my table followed by the lamp bending and crashing on the floor and Miss Trouble’s effort to keep stuffs clean ended up with her newly gifted vase (she got it before I could throw it) breaking on my table.

In short, the table and I were in a mess. “For once Miss Anand if you could gratefully shut up and get your report done it would be of great… what do I say... yes great pleasure!” I put in all my effort to not be angry.

Well she , by some miracle did help in solving the case, hence I decided to spare her of my lectures when I caught a flash of something in her eyes.

It was a ‘S’ drenched on the table which caught her eye. It was Sikandar’s sign which I had drawn on my book, trying to find out what more it meant. For once it made no difference to her that her perfectly combed hair ends were touching the liquid tea.

Then she turned to me and flashed a smile “You turned out to be my fan eh? Carving out my name… crushing on me, aww… so sweet of you Arjun!” She smiled and pinched my cheek. The facade of her slipped back and I got to know that not only did she know Sikandar but also knew how to escape from situations when she was caught.

By simply instigating me to make her get out. How could I not know this before? Who was this Sakshi Anand? She’s supposed to be a member of the team but she actually has no work! Why is she tagging along with us?

I saw her smile slip when I said “Trying to make me angry?” “Arrey no! You see, to have a crush is cute! But Arjun you are almost thirty… this is not the time for all these tiny infatuations! Now you shall tell me with those dark eyes.. Sakshi Anand… GET OUT!” Sakshi laughed and was walking towards the door “So I shall leave myself.”

Or rather escaping the situation? “Stop.” I said and walked towards her “Wow! You are filmy..” “Shut up Sakshi… how do you know Sikandar?” I asked her.

“Erm he is an average actor I guess, many people know him though. I must say his lineage is damn good! Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher!” Sakshi said and I slapped my head “I am not talking about Sikandar Kher … I am talking about Sikandar and you know very well who he is.” The mask was so beautifully on her face that I almost doubted if I saw those flitting emotions at the mention of ‘S’.

"You don't have to know everything Arjun!" With that she sauntered away, slightly flushed at our proximity, again.

I was confused on her teenage crush on me over that the dialogues which she throws at me. Sakshi Anand was certainly not the person she showed herself to be.

I couldn’t help but admit that she cleverly knew all information about every person and none knew much about her. She was indeed an A class investigative reporter.

But then I would let her know that over my dead body!

As I walked back to my desk and called the peon to clear my desk I had come across what I had missed since a while,

Sikandar’s sole aim had been to just destroy me.

A breath caught in my throat, why?

Rio De Janeiro, 2014

A sinful body emerged from the private pool of The Fasano* (most luxurious hotel in Brazil) and swiped his hair back, as he rose like the mighty Poseidon from his lap in the pool.

Swiping back his jet black hair he walked into a row of frightened assistants who stumbled to put on his bathrobe and hand him over his special cocktail.

He relaxed on the chaise and heard how the mafia gently requested for an extension of the payment deadline, bringing along a gift for him. His smile grew grim as a pale red headed woman was brought in his sight.

Sikandar never liked these sort of girls. Being a loner was what suited him the best. Yet those beguiling emerald eyes stored an innocence like the one he had… loved.

Wearing a barely there flimsy red dress she half whimpered when the powerful man in front of her tugged her wrist. Her face had masked the expression of seduction yet every time there was an innocent girl afraid of what is to come.

“Strip” his harsh words sent a chill down her spine and she looked at the man whose name was a holy utterance on every mafia’s mouth. They were supposedly so scared of him that they spoke of his name in hushed whispers.

For Ingrov it didn’t make a difference. He was like any other swine who would dispose off her body once done. What she never expected was that from a man of steel she got a session of gentlemanly behaviour.

His touches were surprisingly nave, his kisses were innocent and his soft hushes were so fragile. For the first time she wanted to respond to a client.

She remembered him waking up, groaning. She was met with his harsh behaviour as he told her to get out of his bed and sit in the corner. She was waiting for a whip or anything which she was used to, instead he gifted her with an unknown solitude.

Which she welcomed deeply.

The so called powerful man was intoxicated last night and now he barely seemed to speak to her. She didn’t understand and couldn’t believe the howl which escaped his mouth when he was in shower.

What she never expected was guilt in his eyes. Who was he?

Ten years in this gruelling profession made it very easy to assess a man and she knew by now that Sikandar was nothing like what he showed himself to be.

For the fear of her neck she kept quiet but from inside a tad bit hope stood out.

She didn’t mind that the man before was the Lord of the Devils, for now she started to seek refuge in the one for whom death was too close a friend.

Sikandar was just an enigma for her.

~*~

CHAPTER 2

Mumbai, December 2014.

“Aye haye why doesn’t anyone listen to me! I told you na that there’s an affair amidst the servant and mistress of the house! But a particular ACP Sahab…”

“Enough Sakshi! Can’t you shut up for a second and let me focus! You are still stuck on that case! For now couldn’t you use your brains to understand how did this Shekhawat die?” Arjun grit his teeth at Sakshi’s insolence and tried to focus on the case.

Shekhawat - Vijendra Shekhawat. One of the billionaires of India. He had a chain of seven star luxurious resorts as well as a few Casinos. Scandalously termed as the man who brought Las Vegas to India.

But the sore point of the case was that why had a billionaire been to a cheap club in Mumbai? What was he doing at a club well known for notorious criminals? Especially famous for his men… could he have been a backhand support for him?

Shekhawat died on the spot at Club Noire by being served of a poisonous drink yet there are no remains of the poison. “Arjun why don’t you say that the main reason why the case of this billionaire’s death troubles you is because you feel he is linked to someone you know.” Arjun frowned at the sharp journalist and knew that this woman knew way more than what her petite soft sensuous mouth...

Get on track Rawte,

Thus Sakshi Anand knew way more than her mouth… yeah her mouth let on. “So, Miss Anand. What exactly do you mean?” “Simple thing, he has been utilizing his resources for the underworld.” Sakshi shrugged her shoulders.

“Sakshi, why are you here in the ETF?” he asked, for he had barely seen her using even 1% of what her skill is. The only thing she does is read up their cases and posts articles.

“Read up my job profile ACP Sahab!” Sakshi chuckled.

Arjun shook his head at her erratic answers and looked back at his research, what bothered him was that bar dancer who served Shekhawat the drink.

The moves… Arjun had seen them somewhere, he closed his eyes and Ayesha as Nadia flashed before him. But wasn’t Ayesha there in the investigation yesterday?

“Ayesha..” Arjun called “Yes Sir?” Ayesha placed her cup aside and ran into his cabin.

“Uh… nothing.” Arjun shook his head and walked away. Ayesha looked at Sakshi who gave an ‘I don’t know’ shrug and walked back to her desk along with Sakshi.

What relation would Ayesha have with the murder? No no… an orphan who grew up at a decent household. Arjun scratched the temple of his head.

Of course Ayesha was off the charts… who… then who wanted to kill Shekhawat and why?

“Sir!” The curly haired spectacled information technology specialist ran towards him “Is there a fire on your back? Calm down Shree!” Arjun shook his head.

Shree flustered and took a few steps back to crash into the curly haired forensic specialist and frowned as he found his hand on her waist for a second longer than required “Specky! Tere ko line maarne ka aur ko idea nahi sujta kya!”

“LIZA!” Arjun snapped at a red Liza and Shree who fumbled into a proper standing position “Now without any further accidents and personal comments, Liza can you tell me what you found in the reports? And Shree, what’s the fire about?”

“Sir, the usual poisoned ice kill.  But let me tell you the ice wasn’t poisoned, it was added later.” Liza said “Sir Shekhawat ka ghar blast ho gaya!” Shree reported.

“WHAT?” Arjun looked shocked, why would someone blast the house of a billionaire hotelier?

“Call Sakshi and Ayesha, inform Rathore and Chotu of the same.” Arjun tucked his gun behind his belt when Shree informed “Sir Sakshi will be little late.”

“Ladies I tell you!” Arjun rolled his eyes, perfectly avoiding the shocked expression of Liza and Ayesha.

“Men I tell you!” Liza poked her tongue at Shree. “What did I do now!” Shree groaned.

The minute Arjun moved out of Ayesha’s sigh she took in a deep breath.

From the way Arjun had glanced at her quite a few times she was scared that he had sniffed out that last night Nadia had been on fore.

Ayesha swore mentally… a slight suspicion or even doubt. That’s something that KV won’t be very pleased about.

Well meet Ayesha Kapoor - urf an agent famous for busting narcotics ring. She ‘transferred’ to ETF on the Commissioner's ‘recommendation’ wherein she made sure that she came into the Emergency Task Force. She had received a tip about him and his files in the ETF which was not allowed to be accessed by Arjun Rawte - rather accessible by Sameer Rathore.

Ayesha’s lips thinned to a sarcastic smile - what a decision by the Commissioner!

“Hello my lady - it’s very rare that I find you smiling for no reason.” Sakshi winked as Sameer came into the view “Shut up Sak! It’s not him.” Ayesha flustered, for she did harbour some feelings for this Mr. Mustache.

“Then what’s the thing Ash… or Nadiya… or the murderer of Shekhu babu?” Sakshi licked the coffee out of her lips while Ayesha turned into a statue “Was I that obvious?” Ayesha rubbed her nose as Sakshi’s smile faded.

“Sweetheart give it to me that I covered it for you. Yes you were that obvious. You were supposed to come to with Sameer to the field when you changed your plan and decided to come with me. Plan better next time. As far as I know, the KV won’t be too happy with this. It was a messy job.” Sakshi played with the edge of Ayesha’s gun on the table.

“I am disappointed as well, and madame - please do something here at ETF apart from ogling and flirting with the second in command!” “He’s hot and he deserves attention!” Sakshi laughed and then stopped laughing at Ayesha’s angry face.

“Calm down female Arjun.” Sakshi rolled her eyes and then stuck her tongue out when Ayesha’s face hardened “Yeah… I am an Arjun in a few ways…”

“I am sorry… I didn’t mean it in that way.” Sakshi sighed while Ayesha blinked back her tear “It’s fine, I guess I ain’t as strong as you eh?”

Sakshi chuckled “Almost everyone has a painful past love, who’s who and for what… God knows. But my only tip - please be with Sam if you really mean it. Not for your mission - it’ll break him and me for he reminds me of…” Sakshi gulped as flashes of her brother came in front.

Ayesha frowned and turned aside, “You don’t need to meddle with Arjun either. He’s too broken Sakshi. Too broken.”

Sakshi hummed and picked up her scooty keys, her eyes watery at what Ayesha told. “The only thing I would really want Arjun to be… is happy. Why? For what? Let those questions rest.”

“Sakshi!” Arjun called out irritably as Sakshi walked into the parking “Going via scooty, collecting info - you go on with Sameer!” Sakshi yelled and hopped on to her scooty.

Arjun frowned and felt little irritated at not going along with him. Wait… where did that thought come in from? He grumbled and waited for Sameer as a pale faced Rathore came and sat on the driver’s seat.

“Chale?” Rathore said as Arjun nodded and shifted uncomfortably on the passenger’s seat. Behind the rest of the team settled.

Arjun thought about the sudden change in Sameer’s behaviour and shook his head. Who was he to think about all this? His thoughts ventured to Shekhawat.

A billionaire and his death at a cheap hotel by a bar dancer didn’t add up. It was understandable what connection a drug lord and a billionaire would have. But the murder of a billionaire?

Was there a rift? Could digging up Shekhawat’s case provide as a cover to find Sikandar be successful?

Sameer drove with deathly silence and stopped before the sight. He had stepped into the washroom when he heard Sakshi say…

please be with Sam if you really mean it. Not for your mission - it’ll break him

That means all the advances from Ayesha were for some information? But what would anyone get anything from interrogating him? He knew Ayesha’s background very well and she was clean. Not a traitor… so what can a person on the right side of law want to know from him?

Last Night

1:30 A.M

Kapoor stretched on the sofa, kicking the lazy Verma on the process “What the!” Verma scowled, rubbing the sore foot. “What do you think about Shekhawat’s latest transaction with S?”

“The usual, money, drugs… a Bombay Velvet you can imagine. Samne se lounge, peeche se kuch aur! In return S gives him the land and money while Shekhawat’s casinos become a den for S and F***!” Verma swore at the laptop.

“Not again, what happened? Okay I take the blame for letting Nadia get ready for execution of plan at the last minute!” Kapoor said to find Verma hyperactive and shaking as if “You look like a constipated person doing snake dance for the baraati!” Kapoor laughed while Verma threw away the laptop.

“F*** you Kapoor!” “May that happen soon!” Kapoor said wryly “Shut the f*** up! Why the hell is that s** of a &^%#$ Shekhawat dealing with Lionex companies?” Verma logged into the “Catch”.

The Catch was a fifteen laptop synched together storing all their databases and information with their software dealing in hacking, processing information and locating their agents. However the sad case is that this software was acquired from Lionex.

“How could that *&^%$##$%^& trade here.. unless…” “Calm down and freeze all the information right now on your secure drive. Take a few steady breaths. We have a spy amidst us, hence we need to update all information possible. Probably S himself intervened into all this sh*t hence he might have figured out and tried to buy out Lionex which has probably happened. Secure information on your manual base, nothing via satellite or clouds. As far as I am concerned, guess it’s time to blow something up.” Kapoor nodded while Verma frowned.

“Alpha, delta… listen Kaps, don’t just blow out the house - do something… believable so as to our darling smart cops don’t get to know a thing.” Verma pointed out while Kapoor nodded.

“You sure his office over there has the delivered software?” “Yeah… Shekhawat has a real bad thing of keeping everything in his house.”

“We did do a half of our job at the mansion…” Kapoor winked and drove towards the mansion. The only thing that rested in Kapoor’s bag was a small chip.

A chip worth 650 million dollars…

Kapoor pulled out a cigarette and drew in a puff to only get it thrown into the bin by a sweaty Verma. “Point one - Stop smoking. Point two - yeah, I ended up freezing every information. Kappy this means that Sikandar must have had a whiff of what happened and of who we are!”

Kapoor nodded “Yep, the good news is that now he does exist and he has access to many superior files. Bad news is that, he’s damn intelligent and knows too much of history. I still don’t get it as to why Roshni was murdered.”

“We never know why any person is murdered Kappy! Samrat… he wasn’t supposed to die if not for that traitor Commissioner and… Rawte.” Verma squinted into the black sky while Kapoor frowned.

“Sakshi… I can’t stand the insults this man gives on her. Trust me if Sikandar had not been behind his back I would have done an encounter on the incorrigible cop!” Kapoor growled while Verma laughed and hugged the fuming Kapoor.

“You know this protective nature of yours couldn’t have kept Sakshi away from you. She was furious but mellowed down soon. It’s just Ashi who’s missing…” Verma sighed.

“Sakshi’s sister died then and there Verma.” “I don’t believe so. When Samrat died you made sure that Sakshi lived on… I am f*****g sure that Ashi is alive.” Verma gritted to only find Kapoor walking away, handing over the chip.

Kapoor noticed as Verma punched into the keyboard, frustration being the primary emotion in Verma. Kapoor couldn’t help but relive the days when everything was fine.

It was almost ten years back when they had been acquainted with their current field. From the tender age of fifteen Samrat begun training them. He had a soft spot for these intelligent two and he had sensed a grave danger for his and their future.

The duo had been shattered by the demise of their mentor, their senior - Samrat Anand. Specialist in covert operations - Narcotics Department. Even though Samrat hadn’t been assigned to coach young police officers, but often he dropped by to specially train his special ones which not only consisted of them but also of Sameer Rathore and Arjun Rawte.

Verma always had a reserved spite against Rawte for Samrat often compared the duo. Kapoor chuckled how angry the two were when Samrat blasted at RR for having bunked their class to visit Roshni. In fact the two’s fuse blew off when Samrat told that either should get married to his sisters for they assume the role of being pampered like a ‘jija ji’.

Verma was always protective of Ashi - Ashi Anand while Kapoor was the older guiding light for Sakshi. Developing Sakshi and Ashi took way more time than intended compared to training Kapoor and Verma.

At the age of twenty one Kapoor and Verma began their mission. Verma was an expert in the information and technology field while Kapoor was a master at defense and strategy. They both were carved for each other. When Verma hacked, Kapoor hijacked. When Verma stole information, Kapoor tracked down the other agents.

None could exist without the other - such were their skills. Their target was never just Sikandar, it was the entire narcotics gang. From the drug lord ‘R’ to a simple drug peddlar - all deserved to meet their end.

Most of the undercover agents were under their tracking system and everyone agreed to an extra help with the promise of cover and security.

Roshni’s death came as a surprise, no because they had finished off the wife of an honest officer; but also the fact that they had left Arjun alive.

Sikandar isn’t famous for this. He usually finished every enemy of his, not leaving any room for guilt, for regret, for revenge. That’s when the two understood that to catch hold of Sikandar one has to dig out the relation amidst the two.

Kapoor thought about Sakshi. She was naive yet mature, an eccedentesiast -  someone who hid their pain behind a smile. It was no wonder she was falling for Arjun…

For each shared the pain of being the cause of losing their most loved one.

~*~

Marine Drive

2014

Sakshi chewed on to the roasted channas and reviewed the video in front of her. It was from the CCTV footage of ETF where Sameer and Arjun were fighting. Dusting the light sprinkles on her jeans she paused to think as to why did these best friends split.

She knew the usual story of the trio being best friends and Sameer blaming Arjun for Roshni’s death.

Easy.

Not easy. Sakshi rewinded the video to find a hidden rage yet tolerance in Arjun and noted… insecurity and guilt in Sameer’s body language.

Her kohled eyes widened as realisation hit her - what the hell happened that night? Sameer was blaming Arjun for what had happened yet Sameer cowered in front of Arjun. Did Sameer know what was to happen?

How deep was the connection between Sameer, Arjun and Sikandar? Could following either one of them lead her to Sikandar? Could the death of Maya be justified?

“Sakshi?” Sakshi jumped on her place and raised her gun to find Arjun staring back at her. His eyebrows were furrowed as his gaze reached the gun. Sakshi shut the laptop and shoved it into her bag, along with her gun when she was asked “What are you doing here Sakshi?”

“You scared me Arjun!” Sakshi pushed his shoulder while his lips thinned.

“Are you doing something which should make you frightened from me?” his voice held on an edge while Sakshi rolled her eyes “Yeah, wishing to marry you! Kya kehte ho! God knows Roshni ne tumhe jhela kaise!”

“Main tab aisa nahi tha. Even though I started to dig about him four years back...”

“Toh issi baat ka sazaa de raho ho usse, she died for you yet you decide to punish her for dying.” Sakshi said sarcastically to find his face harden “Before another word, being like this hurts her more than anyone in this planet. She died, fine… but giving her justice shouldn’t end up by reducing yourself to nothing! She’s up with God and the most happiest.” Sakshi beamed at him to find him annoyed.

“Don’t interfere in my life.” Arjun snapped.

“Woah, man… politeness is an art you have to yet learn. And before you start saying that Sakshi tumhe maut ke baare main kya pata hai? Hein? Ala Amitabh Bachchan, then let me state that yes, I have seen death and know very well what it is. That’s the basic reason why I carry a gun with me all the time. Happy? Let me tell you, itna khudgarz mat bano. If you really loved her then you would have looked after yourself ! That’s enough of dialogue from me today, goodnight.” Sakshi’s voice quivered at the end and she walked off to find him walking towards his SUV.

“Sorry.” His voice floated as his car pulled over near her. “No issues, I just have a bad tendency to overtalk. Actually, I am sorry.” Sakshi scratched her head sheepishly while Arjun waved his hand.

“Does being happier reduce pain?” he asked as Sakshi buckled her seatbelt. “It does, if you believe it makes the one you lost get relief.” She sipped on water as Arjun nodded.

Who had Sakshi lost?

“Samrat Anand.” Sakshi said and Arjun stopped his car in the middle “Chalo! The person I lost… Samrat Anand. No I don’t need any sort of I am sorry or condolences. I am proud of him. He means everything for me.” Sakshi sipped on to her water bottle as Arjun gawked at her.

“You are… hh.. his” “Sister. In short, saw him dying, bleeding, pierced with glasses and burnt. I was hidden in the torture cell behind a few old boxes and managed to save him somehow to only have them choose my life over his. In a year’s time I lost my father and bhabi - Maya, both died on the same day. As far as my sister is concerned - she went mentally unstable.” Arjun’s fingers went limp on the steering wheel as he looked at her expressionless face.

“He went for a covert operation and was betrayed by a traitor which resulted in his untimely death. We were there to help him but… it didn’t work out.” Sakshi turned to find Arjun staring at her with shock.

“I know you all were told that he died in a crossfire. That didn’t happen.” Arjun looked at her plastic face, losing words as her face bore no signs of pain except for the watering of eyes.

He held her palm and squeezed it gently. She half smiled at it when Arjun whispered a sorry. She nodded her head and smiled “Kamal karte ho Samrat sahab, aapke baare main baat kya kiya, yeh Arjun bhi track main aa gaya!”

“No Sakshi, I am really sorry. I have been terrib…”

“What happened Arjun? I said I don’t want sympathy. I didn’t tell you that I am currently an orphan with a dead brother and psychologically affected sister to only have you mellow down and soothe me. The only reason I told you all this is that, everyone suffers - you are no exception. The pain is unmeasurable for each one of us - but I want you to know that if you smile a little and get your brain rid of the cloud of pain and guilt, only then can you actually notice what you have been missing.” Sakshi slipped her hand off Arjun’s.

“Remember, only when the cloud of self depreciation is removed can one understand that where the fault was and how everything happened. Speak to her - it makes a difference.” Sakshi smiled and put a hair behind her ear.

Arjun half smiled at the woman in front. A respect developed for her as she put her things in her bag. Sakshi looked at the man beside her who softened a little and looked at her with a strange intensity. It wasn’t love, it wasn’t passion… it definitely wasn’t any form of adore… yet it sent tingles down her spine.

“Your house.” his voice brought her back to the earth and she smiled. Of course - her akdu wouldn’t change within a few moments!

“You are welcome!” Sakshi yelled as she walked into her house, dodging the rain while Arjun frowned. “Arrey tumhara thank you ka jawab re!” she smiled and ran in.

Arjun nodded his head in an affectionate annoyance and drove his car back to his house. His heart feeling beautifully light.

That’s when the first thing hit him - what was she watching in her laptop?

Little did he know that the minute Sakshi reached her house she called up her informer and said “Rawte ki track records chahiye - chaar saal puraane.”

“Am sorry Arjun, I feel for you and things are wonderful but I need to know what did you do that led you to Sikandar so as to I can find him too…” Sakshi sighed.

~*~

Flat 1504

Vision Apartments

Powai

“Thanks for the coffee.” Ayesha smiled and wrong out her wet bag. It was a very awkward situation with both of them getting stuck in the rain. Out of manners he offered her a warm cup of coffee at his house.

“It’s brilliant!” Ayesha stated to find Sameer stare at her in confusion “I mean both.. your house and coffee.” She smiled and chided herself for the sudden colouration of cheeks due to his gaze.

“So..” Ayesha half smiled as Sameer shook his head.

“Nothing… I have a story - care to hear?” Sameer relaxed on to his sofa, looking much younger than his age of thirty one in a casual pair of trousers and shirt.

“Sure!” Ayesha answered.

“There was this police officer who was sort of attracted to his colleague. Perhaps he fell in love with her silent caring gestures and maybe he read it all wrong. But no matter what he couldn’t refute the fact that she had always given him a positive signal. They often were clubbed together during various pursuits and that man finally felt like a ray of light touch his life when she enquired and cared for him after he got injured in protecting her in the forest.”

Ayesha choked on her coffee “Wonderful… if you don’t mind I need to state that I need to get home early. I will catch up on this tomorrow.” She slurped on her coffee and was about to leave when Sameer held her hand.

“I haven’t finished yet, Ayesha.” he drawled on her name with an impending sign of danger. She gulped as he pinned her to the wall, yet giving her a respectable distance. “The man then heard that she had given every sort of positive signal to only utilize him for a mission. Tell me Ayesha… why did she utilize that man?” Sameer growled while Ayesha paled.

“She could have felt something more and perhaps the situation is not understood by the man.” Ayesha’s heart hammered as he bent low and gave a mirthless chuckle. “You almost make it sound like as if she harbors feelings for that man.”

“It’s the man’s fault that he can’t see it.” She whispered and stared into the dark depths of his eyes. Sameer stood silent for a second and said “If the man confesses to feel the same and show the love he has for her, will she tell the truth?” Sameer asked as Ayesha said.

“Try her, she won’t break your heart… aa… oh…” a surprised moan left her mouth when he bent lower gently sucked her lush succulent lips with his own. Ayesha held his shoulders for support as he bit and nibbled her.

Sameer parted and rubbed his thumb against her now bee stung lips as Ayesha closed her eyes in tranquility. He cradled her head and pulled her into a snug embrace.

“I do lov…” her words were startled when Sameer placed a gun on her spine. She looked up in shock to hear him say.

“Out with the truth Ayesha…” he whispered.

~*~
Next Part

Please do post your comments on this link (that is if you want to comment :D) on the link below!
Comments here