Nakul Returns
Disclaimer: Before any of you kill me, please let me tell you that this is kind of my version of events if Nakul was ever to return. I feel that FW had a great story in the making, but they botched it up. That's why I decided to fix it up in my own way. So here's presenting Nakul Returns (once again).
Interpol office, France, Monday, 11:10AM (France time)
The two men walked down the hallway towards the director's office. They knocked on the door and then went in. The director looked at up and asked, "What is the matter?"
"We've gotten a photo of one of the terrorists in our system," one man replied.
"Who is it?" the director asked.
"An Indian terrorist. Nah-kul," the second man replied.
"Send the photo out to all the defense intelligence agencies," the director said.
"Already being done sir," the first man replied.
"Good. Oh and upload it to our database as well. It's best we have all avenues covered," the director said.
"Yes sir," the second man agreed.
"Hopefully with his photo we'll get him faster. He's been causing terror around the world for the past 7 years. We need to get this man fast," the first man said.
*****
RAW office, Delhi, Tuesday, 12:10PM
The lady opened the file and then opened a database on her other computer. She pulled up a profile, checked it, and then picked up the phone and dialled a number. She said, "Kya tum abhi mere office main aa sakte ho?"
Then she hung up. She looked at the profile and photo and waited for the man to come out. He came out a few minutes later and asked, "Haan Sheetal. Kya mila hai?"
"Abhigyan yeh dekho. Yeh woh Indian terrorist Nakul ki photo hai. Interpol ne bheja hai," Sheetal replied.
"Hmm...thik hai. Aisa karo isse CBI, ATC, aur CID ko bhej do. Saare sheron main. Unhe bhi tyar rehna chahiye agar yeh kabhi yahan aaye toh," Abhigyan said.
"Thik hai," Sheetal agreed.
Sheetal uploaded the photo to the profile and then sent it out to everyone as Abhigyan has said.
*****
Mumbai CID bureau, Tuesday, 2:30PM
Sachin and Freddy came back into the bureau. ACP Pradyuman said, "Acha ab hum sab aa gaye hain. Purvi woh terrorist ki file kholo jo RAW ne bheji hai. Dekhen toh ke yeh kaunsa terrorist hai jo 7 saalon se ghum raha hai lekin aaj tak uska chehra kisi ne nahi dekha hai."
Purvi opened the file on her computer and then dragged it onto the projector screen attached to her computer so that it would open in big. As the file loaded, the picture cleared and Nakul appeared on screen. Sharp breaths were taken in by all 7 officers.
ACP Pradyuman looked at the photo stunned. He said, "Yeh kaise ho sakta hai? Nakul ko toh maine..."
"Lekin sir yeh directly RAW se aaya hai. Aur unhe Interpol ne bheja tha," Purvi replied, in disbelief.
"Tab bhi. Yeh nahi ho sakta hai. Nakul wapas kaise aa sakta hai. Tum log hi socho," ACP Pradyuman replied, adamantly.
"Sir aisa bhi ho sakta hai ke koi Nakul ke maut ka phaida utha raha hai," Abhijeet suggested.
"Nahi Abhijeet. Yeh tasveer Nakul ki tab li gayi hai jab woh cafe se bhar nikal raha hai. Yeh toh asli hi ho sakta hai," Daya said.
Daya was right. The photo was of Nakul leaving a cafe in London. It had been taken off a CCTV camera situated in the bank across the cafe where an explosion had happened 10 minutes after Nakul had left. This was Nakul in flesh and blood. Abhijeet said, "Toh aisa bhi ho sakta hai ke kisi ne Nakul ka chehra banwa liya ho."
"Lekin Nakul hi kyun sir?" Freddy asked. "Nakul toh India main ek wanted terrorist tha. Koi bhi ek aise terrorist ka chehra kyun lega. Aur waise bhi yeh baat zaroor pehel gayi hogi ke Nakul maar chuka hai. Toh phir koi ek maare huye aadmi ka chehra lekar kyun ghumega aur kyun woh aapni jaan ko bina karan aur khatre main dalega. Woh toh kisi ajnabee ka chehra bhi le sakte the."
"Freddy terrorism ki duniya main tumhara chehra jitna pehchana jaaye utna acha maana jaata hai. Last month ke ATC conference main bhi yehi kaha gaya tha. Aur Nakul sirf India main nahi, bhar bhi naam bana raha tha. Uska chehra koi kyun nahi lena chahega?" Abhijeet argued.
"Nahi Abhijeet. Koi bhi doosre insaan ka chehra le sakta hai. Lekin har insaan ke face structure alag hota hai. Agar yeh nakli Nakul hota toh kahin toh farak hota. Yeh toh bilkul asli Nakul ki taran lag raha hai," Daya returned.
"Ho sakta hai iss photo main nahi dikh raha hai Daya. Itne grainy photo main toh koi bhi doosre insaan ki taran lagega," Abhijeet suggested.
"Main abhi Dr. Salunkhe ko bula kar yeh sabat kar sakta hoon ke main sach keh raha hoon," Daya replied.
ACP Pradyuman turned around at this time and quietly said, "Maine uski laash aapne aakhon se dekhi thi. Yeh Nakul ho hi nahi sakta hai."
"Sir..." Freddy started. Then he stopped.
ACP Pradyuman asked, "Kya kehna chahte ho Freddy?"
"Sir hum sab ne Nakul ki laash nahi dekhi thi. Humne usse goli khate huye dekha tha aur hospital jaate huye dekha tha. Hospital main toh jab doctor ne kaha ke woh maar chuka hai aur uski dhaki huyi laash bhar laayi gayi toh..." Freddy said, hesitantly.
*****
City Hospital, 10 years ago
The doctor and a nurse stepped out. The doctor removed his mask and said directly to ACP Pradyuman, "I'm sorry. Hum aapke bete ko bacha nahi paaye."
Abhijeet and Daya put a hand on each of ACP Pradyuman's shoulders and then removed it just as quickly. ACP Pradyuman closed his eyes letting it absorb before opening his eyes again to see the nurse help the 2 ward boys bring the stretcher out. The doctor asked, "Kya aap ek baar aapne bete ka chehra dekhne chahenge? Isse pehle ke hum inke marzi ke hisaab se inki laash ko inke doston ke havle kar den?"
"Marzi?" Abhijeet asked.
"Haan. Operation theatre inhe ek baar hosh aaya tha aur inhone aapne ek dost ka pata diya baari buri halat main aur kaha ke agar inhe kuch hota hai toh inki laash inke dost ke paas jaaye," the doctor replied.
ACP Pradyuman squared his shoulders and looking directly at the body said, "Thik hai. Iski laash le jao. Mujhe iska chehra nahi dekhna hai."
The doctor nodded and the nurse and 2 ward boys wheeled the stretcher out as Abhijeet and Daya exchanged surprised glances over ACP Pradyuman's shoulder.
*****
CID bureau, Present day and time
ACP Pradyuman said, vehemently, "Woh maar chuka hai. Aur usse ab kuch wapas nahi laa sakta hai."
With that he started to walk towards the door. The team exchanged glances and then Daya and Abhijeet went after him and stopped him in the hallway. Daya said, "Sir hum""
ACP Pradyuman interrupted, for what seemed like the first time ever, "Nahi Daya. Mujhe thodi deer akele rehne do. Tum log case investigate karo. Iske baare main maat sochna."
With that he walked out of the bureau. Daya and Abhijeet looked after him with stunned glances. Abhijeet said, "Yaar Daya yeh pehli baar huya hai ke sir ne hume kuch bolne nahi diya."
"Woh thik toh honge naa boss?" Daya asked, in concern.
"Woh ACP hain. Itni asaani se kuch nahi hoga," Abhijeet said, confidently.
But he didn't feel that confidence. He also hoped that ACP Pradyuman would be fine. But right now they had to obey the direct order from ACP Pradyuman. He turned back to the bureau and Daya followed. The two only stopped once to look at the door that ACP Pradyuman had left from before getting Freddy, Sachin, and Purvi's attention.
*****
ACP Pradyuman's house, 3:40PM
ACP Pradyuman looked up at the room again. He kept holding himself back. He didn't want to open that room and let the memories come out. But he couldn't stop himself either. Putting his resolve aside, he walked over to the room and unlocked the door. Then slowly he opened it.
As the door creaked open, ACP Pradyuman paused. His eyes wandered over the furniture. The bed. The chair. The table. The nightstand. And then they stopped on the photo on the nightstand. He stepped into the room and sat down on the bed and picked up the photo.
"Hey Dad."
ACP Pradyuman turned towards the voice, but the room was empty. It was just his mind that was hearing voices. After all Nakul's name and face had come up after so long. He hadn't been ready for it. He looked lovingly at the photo and then put it down.
He picked up the watch that was lying on the nightstand. It was Nakul's favourite watch. He had gifted it to Nakul on Nakul's 15th birthday and Nakul had been so happy to receive something from him. ACP Pradyuman smiled sadly and blinked the tears back.
Then he picked up the sunglasses. They had belonged to him at one time. Then, when Nakul was 12, he had asked for them from ACP Pradyuman and he had given his sunglasses to Nakul. Nakul had been so happy to receive them and had paraded around wearing it for the next 2 weeks, even at night. ACP Pradyuman shook his head laughing at that memory. It had been a time when everything had been alright between the 2.
ACP Pradyuman put the sunglasses down and brushed away the tears that clouded his eyesight. He still didn't know where he had gone wrong. What had he done that had suddenly made Nakul hate him so much that he turned to the wrong side? What had made Nakul a thief and then a terrorist?
He looked at Nakul's photo again and then flicked away the remaining tears. He had to find out if Nakul was actually alive or not. He couldn't be mistaken. He had shot Nakul with his own hands. He had taken Nakul to the hospital with his own hands. He had heard the doctor say that Nakul was dead with his own ears.
He stood up. The doctor. After taking Nakul to the hospital, the last time he had seen him was when Nakul was being wheeled into the operation theatre. He hadn't seen Nakul after that. Maybe the doctor had been in on everything. He had to find out what had happened that night actually.
ACP Pradyuman stepped out of his house and locked the door. As he was walking to his car, he saw Sehar leaving his house. Sehar saw him as well and waved and called, "Hello uncle!"
He called back, "Hello beta."
But Sehar wasn't done. She walked over and said, "Pata hai yeh pehli baar hai ke main aap ko din main dekh rahi hoon. Warna raat ko hi dekhti hoon."
"Haan woh kuch kam se aana paara," ACP Pradyuman replied, vaguely.
"Uncle kya aap ro rahe the?" Sehar asked, squinting.
ACP Pradyuman frowned. No one asked such a direct question from him. He said, "Nahi. Tumhe kuch galat femi hogi. Sehar tumhe kahin jaana nahi tha kya?"
"Arre haan. Waise agar aap ko kuch batana nahi hai toh koi baat nahi. Woh maine socha ke pooch loon. Aakhir aap hi toh ho jinke saath main ab sab kuch share karti hoon after my parents' death," Sehar commented.
"Jaanta hoon. Lekin abhi thodi si jaldi hai. Mujhe Nakul ke baare main kuch pata karna hai," ACP Pradyuman said, in a rush.
"Nakul? Itne saalon baad?" Sehar questioned.
Sehar and Nakul were of the same age and Sehar had been around for 15 years. Before she had been there with her parents, but after their death in an airplan crash, she had lived their alone. She and Nakul had been good friends as well until he had started hanging out with the wrong crowds. ACP Pradyuman sighed inwardly and said, "Haan. Mujhe kuch cheezein dekhni hain. Isli hospital jaa raha hoon."
"Main kuch madat kar sakti hoon?" Sehar asked.
"Nahi. Main thik hoon," ACP Pradyuman replied.
With that he got into his car and drove off. Sehar looked after the car, then shrugging indifferently, she walked over to her bike as well.
*****
City Hospital, 4:54PM
ACP Pradyuman stepped up to the front desk and the receptionist asked, "Main aapki kya madat kar sakti hoon?"
"Dekhiy mujhe Dr. Dubey se milna hai. Unhone 10 saal pehle ek operation kiya tha aur ek death certificate pe sign kiya tha. Uske baare main baat karni hai," ACP Pradyuman replied.
"Aap kaun hain?" the receptionist asked.
"CID ACP Pradyuman," ACP Pradyuman replied, showing his badge.
"Oh. Umm aap issi floor pe peeche ko chale jaaye. Dr. Dubey ka office wahani hai. Woh shayad iss waqt rounds pe honge lekin aap unke office main bhet kar intezaar kar sakte hain," the receptionist said.
"Thik hai," ACP Pradyuman agreed.
He walked down the hallway to Dr. Dubey's office. He sat down in the office to wait. He was tense and he kept changing his posture in the seat. He was getting impatient as well. Then not being able to sit for any longer, he stood up and started pacing.
*****
ACP Pradyuman's house, 4:50PM
Daya stopped the car outside ACP Pradyuman's house. Abhijeet got out and Daya followed. Daya asked, "Abhijeet hum sahi kar rahe hain?"
"Bhai agar yeh nahi karenge naa toh sir kabhi nahi batayenge ke unhe kya pareshani hai," Abhijeet replied.
"Toh chalo. Baat karte hain sir," Daya said.
The two walked over to the door and Abhijeet rang the bell. They waited for a few moments, but there was no reply. He rang the bell again. They waited again for a few moments, but there was still no reply. Daya said, "Boss lagta hai woh ghar pe nahi hain."
"Lekin gaye kahan honge?" Abhijeet wondered.
"Shayad pata karne ke Nakul sach main zinda hai ke nahi," Daya suggested.
"Hume bhi karna hoga. ACP sir ko track karna hoga," Abhijeet said.
*****
City Hospital, 4:55PM
As ACP Pradyuman paced the floor, a rock came crashing through the window. ACP Pradyuman ran towards the window and looked out, but the person who had thrown the rock had long since mixed into the people milling about outside the hospital.
ACP Pradyuman stepped over to the rock and picked it up. There was a paper wrapped around it. He was sure that this was for him. He unwrapped it and putting the rock down, flattened the paper. Then he read it.
Agar tum aapne bete se milna chahte ho toh mil sakte ho. Tumhare paas aadha ghanta hai. Agar aadhe ghante main, yani 5:30 tak, tum Juhu Beach paunch gaye toh aapne bete se milne ka ek mauka mil jayega. Warna...
ACP Pradyuman rolled the paper up, put it into his pocket, and left the office. He didn't have time to meet Dr. Dubey. He needed to find out who knew he was here and why he was being called to meet Nakul suddenly. This looked like a plan.
*****
ACP Pradyuman's house, 4:56PM
Abhijeet removed the phone from his ear in frustration. He exclaimed, "Sir ka phone off hai!"
"Main trace karwata hoon phone ko," Daya said.
"Koi phaida nahi hoga. Sir ko pata hoga ke hum unhe dhoondne ki koshish karenge. Isli pehle hi phone band kar diya hoga," Abhijeet said, frustrated.
"Boss unhe dhoondna hoga. Pata nahi kya kar rahe honge," Daya said, worriedly.
"Sir ke padosi se poochte hain," Abhijeet suggested.
The 2 walked over to Sehar's house and Abhijeet rang the doorbell. Even after a few moments there was no reply. Abhijeet tried again, but there was still no reply. Abhijeet said, "Lagta hai yeh bhi bhar hain."
"Abhijeet yahan toh ek ladki akele rehti hain naa? Sehar. Woh toh shayad kam pe hi hogi iss waqt pe," Daya replied, thoughtfully.
"Daya kisi taran se sir ko trace karna hi parega," Abhijeet said, worriedly.
Then Daya's phone rang. He checked the number and picked up, "Haan Sachin...Kya?...Haan...Acha hum aate hain."
Daya put the phone down and said, "Bureau wapas jaana hai. Kuch discuss karna hai."
*****
Juhu Beach, 5:25PM
ACP Pradyuman braked hard and stopped in the parking lot. He checked his watch. There were still 5 minutes left. He got out of his car and slammed the door and then walked onto Juhu Beach. He looked around, but apart from a few families and couples there was no one he could suspect. There were 2 sellers as well. One was a tea seller and the other a coconut water seller.
ACP Pradyuman started walking towards the tea seller when a kid came up to him. The kid said, "Saab kya aap ACP Pradyuman ho?"
"Haan. Kyun?" ACP Pradyuman asked.
"Aapke liye ek chitthi hai," the kid replied.
He handed ACP Pradyuman the letter and then ran off. ACP Pradyuman didn't even stop to look where the kid went. His eyes were on the letter. He opened the letter and read:
Boat lo aur samundar main aa jao. 100 feet.
Raising an eyebrow he decided to do as told. He walked over to the water edge and asked to a tourist boatman, "Dekho kya tum samundar main chaloge?"
"Haan sahib. Kahan jaana hai?" the boatman asked.
"Samundar main 100 feet door," ACP Pradyuman replied.
"Haan chaliye," the boatman agreed.
ACP Pradyuman got onto the boat and the boatman took the powerboat out onto the sea. After reaching the 100 feet mark, the boatman started idling the boat as ACP Pradyuman went up to the deck and started looking out at the sea. There were boats out on the sea, but there was nothing coming near his boat.
A few minutes later another powerboat started coming towards ACP Pradyuman's boat. ACP Pradyuman craned his neck and shielded his eyes from the setting sun. As the boat drew closer, ACP Pradyuman saw a man standing at the helm of the boat, but it was still too far. As it drew even closer, ACP Pradyuman recognized the face. It was Nakul.
His mind stopped working right at that moment. His son was coming near him again. Somehow he had survived and was alive. And 10 years later he was coming back to meet him. The tears didn't want to stop, but ACP Pradyuman managed to hold them back. He didn't want Nakul to see his tears yet.
The boatman called out, "Sahib woh boat aa rahi hai. Kya main boat aage peeche le loon?"
"Nahi, nahi. Yahani rehne do. Mujhe issi boat ka intezaar tha," ACP Pradyuman replied. "Tum peeche ko hi rehna. Kuch bhi ho peeche hi rehna."
The boat pulled up beside ACP Pradyuman's boat at this time. Nakul smiled and called over, "Hello Dad."
ACP Pradyuman smiled and asked, "Kaise ho bete?"
"Bete? Wah! Kya baat hai. Itne saalon baad ek dum se iss terrorist ko wapas beta bana diya," Nakul commented, sarcastically.
"Aisa nahi hai beta. Tum toh hamasa mere bete the lekin galat raaste pe ho," ACP Pradyuman replied.
"Toh phir main beta kaise raha? Bete ko goli nahi maarte hain," Nakul stated.
Then he came around and jumped into ACP Pradyuman's boat. The boatman stood up, but ACP Pradyuman looked towards him and he sat down again. Nakul asked, "Toh kya ab kuch bologe bhi nahi?"
"Nahi. Poochonga. Tum bache kaise?" ACP Pradyuman asked, turning all business.
"Woh main bataon?" a girl said from Nakul's boat.
"Haan. Yeh sawal ka jawab toh tumhe hi dena chahiye. Aakhir Dad ko bhi toh pata chale ke mere saath kaun kaun hai," Nakul agreed, smirking at ACP Pradyuman.
A girl stepped out from behind the steering. ACP Pradyuman looked towards her and then stopped. It was Sehar. He frowned. How could it be Sehar? She had stopped talking to Nakul the moment his reality had come to the forefront. Nakul smirked as Sehar came over and got onto ACP Pradyuman's boat. The two hugged tightly and then both turned to face ACP Pradyuman. Nakul kept an arm loosely around Sehar's shoulder. Sehar kept an arm around Nakul's waist as she said, "Kyun uncle? Mujhe dekh kar chaunk gaye naa? Kya karoon. Main hoon hi aisi."
"Arre darling. Yeh shock toh honge hi. Tum toh achi bachi thi. Meri asliyat bhar aane ke baad tumne toh mere saath rishta hi tod diya tha. Lekin inhe nahi pata tha ke tum meri girlfriend ho," Nakul said, mockingly.
"Darling kya karti? Mom Dad ne mujhe maarne ki dhamki hi de di thi. Lekin yahan reh kar bhi maine tumhari kitni madat ki. Dekho uncle ko tumhare saamne laa kar khada kar diya. Ab inke sawal ka jawab den?" Sehar asked, lovingly.
"Haan dete hain. Phir aapna last step leta hoon," Nakul agreed.
As ACP Pradyuman looked between the two in surprise, both recounted how Nakul survived and how he ended up here today. After they finished, ACP Pradyuman said, "Acha toh yeh tha pura plan. Ab aage ka kya plan hai?"
"Plan kuch aisa hai," Nakul replied, pulling out a gun.
He uncocked the gun and then pointed it at ACP Pradyuman. ACP Pradyuman looked at Nakul in surprise and said, "Tum yeh kya kar rahe ho? Mere ko maaroge? Aapne baap ko?"
"Jab baap bete ko maar sakta hai toh beta baap ko kaise nahi maar sakta hai? Aur waise bhi agar aap mujhe maar sakte ho toh ab main aapko bhi maar sakta hoon," Nakul replied.
ACP Pradyuman reached into his back pocket for his gun, but before he could pull it out, Nakul fired a shot. It hit ACP Pradyuman in the chest and he screamed out. He fell backwards on the boat. Nakul and Sehar walked over to him and lifted him and threw him into the water. Then they started laughing. Sehar looked towards the boatman who was looking at the 2 in fear and said, "Nakul dear ab iska bhi kuch karna parega."
Nakul stepped down to the steering area and pointing the gun at the boatman and cocking his head to a side said to Sehar, "Toh phir isse bhi maar dete hain."
"Maar do. Lekin phir CID tak hamari baat kaise paunchengi?" Sehar wondered.
"Toh thik hai," Nakul said. Turning to the boatman he said, "Kisi se kuch bola toh maarega. Sirf agar CID tumhare paas aaye toh unhe bata dena jo yahan huya. Iske eliva kisi se kuch bola toh samjh lena ke tum gaye."
Then the two got out of ACP Pradyuman's boat and back into their boat.
*****
CID bureau, 6:20PM
As Abhijeet flipped the papers in the file his mind wandered. He wondered where ACP Pradyuman was. He still hadn't called and his phone was off. It had been about 4 hours since Nakul's photo had come out. And since then ACP Pradyuman had been silent.
Daya interrupted his thoughts and said, "Bhai sir ka phone abhi tak off aa raha hai. Mujhe chinta ho rahi hai."
"Mujhe bhi ho rahi hai. Char ghante hone ko aaye hain aur woh abhi tak wapas nahi aaye, ghar pe nahi hain, aur phone bhi band hai," Abhijeet said.
"Hum unke taran se kyun nahi sochte hain? Unhe abhi abhi pata chala hai ke shayad unka beta zinda hai. Woh aisi halat main kya karenge?" Daya suggested.
"Sahi hai. Aisi halat main woh yehi pata karne ki koshish karenge ke Nakul sach main zinda hai ke nahi. Shayad hospital gaye honge. Jahan pe Nakul ko dead pronounce kiya tha," Abhijeet said, thoughtfully.
"Hum bhi wahani jaate hain. Aur kuch nahi toh hum kum se kum ACP sir ke peeche peeche sab kuch pata laga lenge," Daya said.
"Pehle Nakul ka death certificate niklate hain. Wahani se doctor ka naam milega aur hospital ka pata chalega," Abhijeet said.
"Evidence room main hoga. Chalo," Daya said.
*****
City Hospital, 8:10PM
After pulling the death certificate, the duo had headed directly to the hospital. Dr. Salunkhe, Sachin, Freddy, and Purvi still didn't know anything yet. They didn't want to worry them yet. Abhijeet and Daya walked up to the reception and Daya said, "Hume Dr. Dubey se milna hai."
"Ji aap issi floor pe peeche ke taraf chale jaaye. Lekin aap ko jaldi jaana parega. Dr. Dubey usually 8:15 tak niklte hain," the receptionist said.
Abhijeet and Daya nodded and walked down the hallway towards Dr. Dubey's office. On reaching it they saw him leaving. Daya stopped, "Dr. Dubey hume aap se baat karni hai. Kya aap do minute hume de sakte hain?"
"Dekhiye main abhi toh ghar jaa raha hoon. Kal aaye," Dr. Dubey replied.
"Dr. Dubey hum CID se hain," Abhijeet stated, showing his badge.
"Oh. Toh pehle kehte naa. Aaye," Dr. Dubey said.
Dr. Dubey led Abhijeet and Daya into his office. After sitting down, Abhijeet said, "Dr. Dubey hum aap se ek aadmi ke baare main poochne aaye hain. 10 saal pehle aapne uska operation kiya tha lekin woh bach nahi paaya tha. Hume uske baare main kuch information chahiye thi."
"10 saal pehle. Main itne operations karta hoon. Aapki madat kaise karonga?" Dr. Dubey said, dubiously.
"Shayad kar sakte ho. Kyun ki jis insaan ko aapne mrit jhoset kiya tha woh zinda hai," Abhijeet said.
"What?!! Yeh kaise ho sakta hai?!!" Dr. Dubey exclaimed.
"Yeh toh aap batayenge naa Dr. Dubey," Daya replied.
"Yeh aadmi kaun hai?" Dr. Dubey asked.
"Nakul Pradyuman," Abhijeet replied. He pushed a photo and the death certificate forward.
As soon as Dr. Dubey looked at the photo, the colour on his face vanished. Abhijeet and Daya both noticed and exchanged glances. Daya asked, "Kya huya doctor? Hawa kyun udh gayi? Aur itni asaani se isse pehchaan kaise liya? 10 saal pehle ki baat hai."
Dr. Dubey looked up at Abhijeet and Daya and sighed deeply. He said, "Mujhe nahi laga tha ke iss baare main kabhi kisi ko pata chalega. Main bhi bhoolne ki koshish kar raha tha. Lekin shayad tabhi kuch bol dena chahiye tha. Tab nahi bola toh ab bolonga."
"Aisa kya hai jo itne saalon se daaba rakha tha?" Abhijeet asked.
"Maine aapne pure career main aaj tak kuch galat nahi kiya hai. Matlab aapne profession se kabhi kuch galat nahi kiya hai. Lekin uss raat kiya tha. Aur mujhe har baat isli aise yaad hai jaise kal huyi thi," Dr. Dubey started.
"Huya kya tha woh bolo," Daya stated.
"10 saal pehle jab iss aadmi ko yahan laaya gaya toh isse goli lagi huyi thi peet main. Hum isse surgery main lekar gaye the isse bachane ke liye. Kareeb aadhe ghante baad ek nurse undar aayi. Usne face pe mask pehen rakha tha. Usne ek gun nikali aur kaha ke mere parivaar wale uske kuch aadmiyon ke hirasat main hain aur agar hum logon ne waise nahi kiya jaise usne kaha hai toh woh mere parivaar wale aur mujhe maar denge," Dr. Dubey replied.
He paused and then continued, "Humne Nakul ko bacha liya tha lekin hume kehna paara ke woh maar gaya hai. Phir uss nurse ke kehne pe hum Nakul ko bhar lekar gaye stretcher pe bina saline aur blood ke. Usne kaha tha ke iss taran se agar aap main se kisi ko dekhna ho toh aise hi lagega ke Nakul maar gaya hai. Uske baad hum isse bhar lekar gaye aur ek ambulance main load kar diya jahan 2 supposed ward boys intezaar kar rahe the. Uss nurse ne mere se gunpoint pe Nakul ko saline aur blood drip pe set karwaya aur phir woh 3 uss ambulance ko lekar chale gaye."
"Uss ladki ka chehra dekha tha?" Abhijeet asked.
"Nahi. Usne pura time mask pehen rakha tha. Ambulance main bhi," Dr. Dubey replied.
"Koi bhi details yaad hain uss nurse yah unhe do ward boys ke baare main?" Daya asked.
Dr. Dubey shook his head. Abhijeet asked, "Kya aapke parivaar se baat kar sakte hain? Shayad unhe kuch pata hoga."
"Kaash aisa kar sakta. Mere wife aur son Mumbai attacks main maare gaye the. Woh kuch nahi bata sakte hain," Dr. Dubey replied.
"Yeh khidki kaise tooti?" Abhijeet asked, pointing to the large hole in one of the windows.
"Aaj din main kisi ne window ke through ek rock phenk diya tha," Dr. Dubey replied.
"Bas pathar?" Daya asked.
"Haan. Aisa yahan hota rehta hai. Bache bhi hote hain iss hospital main aur kabhi woh kuch khel rahe hote hain toh aise ball yah pathar undar aa jaata hai," Dr. Dubey said.
Abhijeet and Daya exchanged glances, but let it go. Abhijeet said, "Thik hai. Waise toh aap ko arrest karna chahiye lekin aapne sab kuch zabardasti kiya isli nahi karenge. Agar aur koi sawal honge toh hum pooch lenge."
The 2 got up and left the office.
*****
Juhu Beach, 8:15PM
As the couple walked along the beach, the wife noticed something. She said, "Varun wahan kuch hai."
"Kahan Juhi?" Varun asked.
"Wahan. Chalo dekhte hain," Juhi said.
Juhi and Varun walked over and Juhi exclaimed, "Arre yeh toh ek aadmi hai."
Varun bent down and checked the man's pulse. He said, "Juhi jaldi se ambulance ke liye phone karo. Yeh aadmi zinda hai abhi."
Juhi got off the phone and said, "Already kar diya hai. Dekho inke paas koi identity hai ke nahi."
"Yeh wallet mila hai," Varun replied. He opened the wallet and said, in shock, "Arre yeh toh CID officer hai. ACP Pradyuman."
Juhi and Varun looked at him in surprise.
*****
CID bureau, 9:10PM
Abhijeet and Daya reached the bureau to find that it was empty. Everyone had probably gone home. Daya said, "Boss humne toh phir se sir ka phone trace kiya tha. Woh bhi abhi tak off hai aur woh toh unke ghar se hi off tha. Ab sir ko kahan dhoonde? Aur Nakul ko bhi kahan dhoonde?"
"Pata nahi. Ab toh mujhe bhi kuch samjh nahi aa raha hai," Abhijeet said, confused.
"Yeh sir gaye kahan hain? Aur Nakul ka plan kya hai?" Daya exclaimed.
Before Abhijeet could reply, his phone rang. He checked his phone and said, "Sachin ka phone hai."
Abhijeet picked up and said, "Haan Sachin...Kya? ACP sir hospital main?!!...Hum abhi aate hain!"
Abhijeet hung up and said, "ACP sir hospital main hain. Critical condition. Juhu Beach pe mile the."
"CHALO!" Daya yelled.
The two ran out of the bureau.
*****
Cooper Hospital, 9:33PM
Abhijeet and Daya raced down the hallway to meet Dr. Salunkhe, Sachin, Freddy, Purvi, and Nikhil. Abhijeet asked, "Kya huya? Sir yahan kaise? Aur kaun laaya unhe?"
"Woh Juhu Beach pe mile the. Buri halat main. Unhe chest main goli lagi hai. Critical condition main hain. Doctors undar hain. Abhi tak iske eliva kuch bataya nahi hai," Dr. Salunkhe replied.
"Yeh sab huya kaise hoga?!!" Daya exclaimed.
"Kahin yeh Nakul ka kiya dhara toh nahi hai?" Sachin asked.
"Lekin abhi tak toh yeh bhi pata nahi chala ke woh actually zinda hai ke nahi. Toh phir hum kaise keh sakte hain ke yeh sab usne kiya hai?" Freddy said.
"Nahi Freddy. Sachin sahi keh raha hai. Yeh sab Nakul ka kiya dhaara hai," Abhijeet said, quietly.
"Woh kaise keh sakte ho?" Dr. Salunkhe asked.
Daya and Abhijeet recounted what Dr. Dubey had told them. Dr. Salunkhe said, "Uske baare main baad main sochenge. Abhi ke liye Pradyuman ke hosh ke aane ka intezaar karna chahiye."
The doctor came out at this time. Abhijeet asked, "Kya huya hai doctor?"
"Woh critical condition main hain. Goli toh dil ke upar lagi aur isli zada damage nahi kar paaya lekin woh thande paani main gire the. Iss wajah se unhe pneumonia ho gaya hai aur unke brain main oxygen nahi pauncha hai," the doctor replied.
The doctor left as the 6 officers and Dr. Salunkhe looked stunned at what the doctor had said. Abhijeet was the first to speak. "Dr. Salunkhe hum yunhi intezaar nahi kar sakte hain. Hume kuch toh karna parega."
"Hum kya kar sakte hain? Yeh doctors ka kam hai," Dr. Salunkhe replied.
"Mera matlab tha pata lagna parega ke sir ke saath yeh kisne kiya hai. Usse pakde bina main yahan pe araam se bhet nahi paonga," Abhijeet said, looking towards the operation theatre tensely.
"Abhijeet main bhi chalonga," Daya said.
"Sir main bhi aaonga," Freddy said.
"Aur main bhi," Purvi said.
"Main bhi aaonga," Sachin said.
"Sir main bhi chalonga," Nikhil said.
"Thik hai. Tum log pata karo ke yeh sab kisne kiya hai aur main yahani rehta hoon. Jaise hi kuch hota hai main tum logon ko bata doonga," Dr. Salunkhe agreed.
The 6 officers left the hospital, attempting to keep their emotions in check.
*****
Juhu Beach, 10:10PM
The 6 officers reached Juhu Beach, but realized how wrong they were to try and investigate. It was dark and the beach was empty. Daya said, "Boss aaj raat ke liye hospital main hi rukte hain. Kal subah aayenge."
"Sachin woh witnesses ke naam aur pate toh honge? Unse mil lete hain," Abhijeet said, not willing to leave yet.
"Sir woh aur kya batayenge? Unhe kuch bhi nahi pata hai ke sir wahan tak kaise paunche hain," Sachin said, confused.
"Main unse phir bhi milna chahta hoon," Abhijeet said, adamantly.
"Abhijeet jab Sachin ne kaha hai ke woh kuch nahi bata sakte hain toh unse baat karke milega kya? Hume hospital main intezaar karna chahiye raat ke liye," Daya said.
"Daya main"" Abhijeet said, sounding frustrated.
"Abhijeet main bhi pareshan hoon. Kuch karna chahta hoon. Lekin agar hum aise karenge toh sir ke upar hamla karne wale nahi milenge," Daya said, sounding frustrated as well.
Abhijeet nodded and the 6 went back to their car.
*****
Cooper Hospital, 10:42PM
The 6 officers sat down across the ICU with Dr. Salunkhe. They didn't say anything, but they didn't have to. Their silence and expressions said everything.
Abhijeet was worried, frustrated, and tense. Ever since this afternoon everything had gone wrong. First they saw Nakul's photo. Then ACP Pradyuman left the bureau, went home, and turned off his phone. And now this. ACP Pradyuman was in the hospital in critical condition with no information on who had done this. But he had full expectations that Nakul was behind it. Because Nakul was alive and had suddenly come up again after 10 years. But why had he waited 10 years to come back?
Daya was thinking something similar. But his mind was thinking more about Nakul and his sudden return. What was Nakul's mission? And how had Nakul known when to attack sir and where he was? There had to be someone else involved. Someone close to Nakul and ACP Pradyuman. And someone who may have followed ACP Pradyuman to the hospital. He had a suspicion that the rock wasn't something children had done.
Dr. Salunkhe couldn't believe that his friend was in the hospital like this. He just wanted to see that his friend was well soon. Then they could get back to their regular ways of fighting over trivial matters. He just wanted his friend to wake up and get well soon.
Sachin was worried. This wasn't the first time he had seen ACP Pradyuman or any of the other officers in the hospital, but this was the first time he had seen someone so close to death. He hoped that everything would be fine and that they would catch the criminal soon.
Freddy was remembering all the lovely times they had spent in the bureau. He didn't even mind the teasing. But he wanted it to come back. He wanted the day to rewind so that he could remove the picture that had started everything. Then they would solve a case, tease each other, and go home.
Purvi and Nikhil were hoping that everything would be fine and that ACP sir would wake up soon. This was all happening so fast.
*****
Sehar's house, 10:50PM
Sehar giggled as Nakul made a dramatic sweeping bow. She said, "Oh this is too good. Sab kuch waise hi ho raha hai jaise hum chahte the."
"Maine kaha tha. Tum bas waisa karo jaise maine kaha hai aur dekhna mera revenge kitna mazedaar hoga," Nakul said, sitting down beside Sehar and putting an arm around her. He continued, "Abhi toh aur maza aana baki hai. Dekhte jao kya hoga. Abhi mere dear Dad maut ke aur kareeb jayenge. Itne kareeb ke aise lagega ke woh maar hi jayenge."
"Waise ek baat ka jawab ab toh de do. Tumne 10 saal intezaar kyun kiya aapne revenge ke liye?" Sehar asked.
"Darling woh sab time related tha. Main chahta tha ke Dad mujhe kareeb kareeb bhool hi jaayen isse pehle ke main unhe aapne baare main phir se yaad dilaon. Bas 10 saal mujhe laga ke kafi haan iss mamle ke liye," Nakul replied.
"Well ab unhe bachne do aur phir 10 saal baad phir karna," Sehar commented.
"Woh nahi bachenge. Dekhte jaana," Nakul said.
*****
Juhu Beach, Wednesday, 8:40AM
The 6 officers looked around again. The beach was mostly empty, but there were some vendors out already. One was a teaseller. There was a young kid working with him as well. The young kid saw them at the same time as they saw him. He walked over to them and asked, "Kya chahiye saab?"
"Kuch information chahiye. Kya tum de sakte ho?" Abhijeet asked, kindly.
"Kaisi information?" the kid asked.
Daya did the unthinkable. He took out a photo of ACP Pradyuman and showed it to the kid. Daya asked, "Kya tumne inhe dekha tha kal yahan pe?"
"Arre haan. Dekha tha! Inhe toh maine kal ek note bhi diya tha," the kid exclaimed.
"Kaisa note?" Abhijeet asked.
"Kal kareeb 5 baje ek memsaab aayi thi. Unhone diya tha. Aur inki photo dikha ke kaha tha ke yeh note inhe de doon. Iss kam ke liye mujhe 500 rupee bhi diye the. Ab mujhe isme koi problem nahi lagi toh de diya," the kid replied.
"Uss memsaab ka chehra yaad hai?" Sachin asked.
"Nahi saab. Memsaab ne moun pe dupatta lepata huya tha. Yahan pe bahut se memsaab aise hi aate hain ret se bachne ke liye," the kid replied.
"Uss note ko dene ke baad kya huya tha?" Abhijeet asked.
"Yeh saab sidha wahan gaye aur ek tourist boat ko hire kiya aur sea main chale gaye the," the kid replied.
"Kya tumhe pata hai ke woh kaunse tourist boat main gaye the?" Daya asked.
"Nahi. Bahut kam tha isli note de kar main wapas chala gaya tha stall pe," the kid replied. "Lekin haan wahan sirf Rajiv, Rajesh, aur Sudhir ke boats khade the uss waqt pe."
"Acha thik hai," Abhijeet said.
The kid ran off again to his stall. The 6 officers turned to the boats. Abhijeet said, "Teeno ko dhoondo aur baat karo. Agar kisi pe shaq ho toh usse turant alag le lena."
The 6 divided up and started checking the tourist boatmen. Purvi and Nikhil reached the last boat. Purvi asked, "Aap ka naam kya hai?"
"Rajiv. Kyun?" the man, Rajiv, asked.
"Kya tum kal inhe sea pe lekar gaye the?" Purvi asked, showing ACP Pradyuman's face.
The colour disappeared off Rajiv's face, but he lied and said, "Maine toh inhe aaj se pehle kabhi nahi dekha hai. Toh kal kahin lekar jaane ka sawal hi nahi utha hai."
"Acha? Tumhare chehre se utra huya rang toh kuch aur hi keh raha hai," Nikhil said.
"Woh toh bas aise hi," Rajiv replied.
"Mr. Rajiv hum log CID se hain," Purvi said, showing her badge.
"Haan toh?" Rajiv said, haughtily. "Dekhiye mere dhande ka waqt hai. Aap logon ke paas agar koi aur sawal nahi hain toh main kam kar sakta hoon?"
"Tum aapna kam karo, hum log aapna kam karte hain," Nikhil replied.
Nikhil grabbed Rajiv's arm as Purvi called Abhijeet to tell him that they had found the right boatman.
*****
Sehar's house, 8:40AM
"Ready to go dear?" Sehar asked.
"Bilkul. Saara saman le liya?" Nakul asked.
"Haan sab kuch. Bas wohi sab kuch chor diya hai jisse pata chalta hai ke yahan ek ladki bhi rehti thi," Sehar said, giggling slightly. "Aur woh doosra package bhi chor diya hai."
"Toh chalo. Chalte hain," Nakul said.
The 2 picked up the 2 suitcases and left the house.
*****
CID bureau, 10:40AM
Nikhil and Freddy came out of the interrogation room. Abhijeet looked up and asked, "Kuch kaha usne?"
"Abhi tak nahi," Nikhil replied.
"Sir ACP sir ke baare main..." Freddy asked.
"Abhi tak nahi," Abhijeet replied.
"Boss mujhe ek baar usse phir se pooch tach karne do," Daya said.
"Jo karna hai karo. Uske moun se sach uglwao. Abhi wohi ek hai jo hume sir ke hamlwaraon tak pauncha sakta hai," Abhijeet said, frustrated.
Daya didn't need to be told again. He banged the interrogation room door open and slammed it shut. Purvi asked, "Sir kya hume koi aur witnesses nahi mil sakte hain Juhu Beach se?"
"Pata nahi kyun mujhe lagta hai ke yeh sab itni door huya hai beach se ke kisi ko pata hi nahi chala hoga ke wahan ho kya raha hai," Abhijeet said, thoughtfully. "Ek baar Rajiv sab kuch bata de phir dekhna kya hoga."
The 5 officers sat down to wait. They had several cases to work on, but right now their attention was only on one thing. They had to find the person who attacked ACP Pradyuman and they had to ensure that ACP Pradyuman would wake up and everything would be fine again. So far there was no change in ACP Pradyuman's health, but they hoped that there would be a change soon.
Daya came out and said, "Rajiv sab kuch batayega."
Rajiv came out behind Daya. He wasn't sporting any bruises, but he looked to be in pain. Daya was known for hurting people without leaving any bruises. And that's what he had done today. Daya pushed Rajiv into a chair and said, "Ab bolo. Sab kuch."
"Kal yeh aaye the. Meri boat li thi. Aur inhe main samundar main 100 feet door lekar gaya tha. Wahan hum kuch der tak khade rahe aur phir ek aur boat hamare taraf aayi. Uspe ek aadmi aur ek aurat thi. Dono mere boat pe aa gaye aur inke saath kuch baat huyi aur phir inhe goli maar di. Main peeche ko bheta huya tha inke kehne pe isli baatein nahi sun paaya. Lekin dono ka chehra maine dekha tha," Rajiv replied.
"Tumne inhe bachane ki koshish kyun nahi ki?" Abhijeet demanded.
"Kyun ki jo do log chare the boat pe woh mujhe dhamki de kar gaye the ke agar kuch kiya toh woh mujhe bhi maar denge. Upar se woh wahani rahe jab tak main chala nahi gaya," Rajiv replied.
"Tumne kaha hai ke tumne unhe pehchaan sakte ho," Daya stated.
"Haan. Main kya yeh bhi pehchaan sakte hain. Dono ko dekh kar inke chehre pe hairani huyi jaise ke tab hota jab hum kisi aapne ka doosra roop dekhte hain," Rajiv replied, pointing to ACP Pradyuman's photo.
Abhijeet and Daya exchanged glances at that and then looked to Freddy. Freddy pulled out a photo of Nakul and showed it to Rajiv and asked, "Kya yeh woh aadmi tha?"
Rajiv looked at the photo and nodded. "Haan yehi tha woh. Aur ek saath ek aurat thi. Dono aise khade the jaise couple ho."
The 6 officers stepped aside and Sachin asked, "Sir yeh kaun ho sakti hai?"
"Yeh koi aisi hai jisse sir pehchante hain aur Nakul ke saath dekh kar hairan ho gaye the," Abhijeet replied.
"Boss Sehar," Daya said.
"Sehar? Woh kaise ho sakti hai? Woh toh sir ki padosi hai aur sir kehte hain ke woh Nakul ke saath dost thi lekin Nakul ki sachi saamne aane ke baad woh Nakul se baat bhi nahi karti thi," Abhijeet said, confused.
"Abhijeet uske eliva aur koi ho bhi nahi sakta hai. Sir zada ladkiyon ko kahan jaante hain. Aur jaante bhi hain toh itna bhi nahi ke unhe Nakul ke saath dekh kar hairan ho jaayen. Agar koi hai toh sirf Sehar," Daya explained.
"Isko Sehar ke ghar lekar chalte hain. Wahan se pata chalega ke yeh sab sahi hai ke nahi," Abhijeet said.
*****
*****
Sehar's house, 11:25AM
Sachin banged on the door when there was no reply to the bell. He looked back at Abhijeet and Daya. Daya said, "Tod do."
Sachin nodded and banged his shoulder against the door twice knocking the lock off its hinges. Then he pulled the door open and went in first. Abhijeet and Daya followed then Freddy and Nakul with Rajiv. Purvi came up last. Abhijeet saw a photo in the hallway and pointed to it. He said, "Yeh thi woh ladki?"
Rajiv looked at the photo of Sehar and nodded. "Haan yehi thi woh."
"Ghar ki talashi lo," Daya said. "Kuch bhi mile usse zapt kar lo."
At that moment Abhijeet's phone rang. He checked the number and then picked up, "Hello?"
"Hey Abhijeet," Nakul drawled from the other end.
"Nakul jaldi karo," Sehar said from behind.
"Nakul?!!" Abhijeet exclaimed.
"Arre wah! 10 saal baad bhi meri awaaz pehchaan li?" Nakul drawled.
"Darling becharon ko zada pareshan maat karo," Sehar said, from the background.
"Darling? Sehar?!!" Abhijeet exclaimed.
"Arre wah. Sehar inhone toh tumhari awaaz bhi pehchaan li," Nakul said to Sehar.
"Hum toh famous ho gaye," Sehar commented, giggling.
Nakul chuckled on the phone as well. Abhijeet covered the mouthpiece and said, "Call trace karo."
Daya nodded and pointed to his phone. He was already tracing it. Abhijeet got back on the phone and said, "Nakul saaf saaf batao. Phone kyun kiya hai?"
"Oh haan. Woh bhi bata deta hoon. Actually tum log abhi Sehar ke ghar main khade ho. Woh boat wale ne tumhe bata diya hai ke maine aur Sehar ne mil kar Dad ko maar diya hai. Toh bas tumhe yeh batane ke liye phone kiya tha ke hume dhoondne ki koshish maat karo. Kyun ki kya hai naa main wapas sirf isli aaya tha taki aapne dear Dad ko wahan pauncha sakhon jahan woh mujhe nahi pauncha sakhe," Nakul said, seeming to really enjoy what he was saying.
"ACP sir ko kuch nahi huya hai! Woh zinda hain aur bach jayenge!" Abhijeet exclaimed.
"Keep telling that to yourself," Nakul said, chuckling.
Then there was a rustling sound as if the phone was changing hands and Sehar came on. Sehar said, "Aur haan. Mera ghar dhoondna hai toh dhoond lo. Kuch nahi milega. Sivaya ek special present ke. Woh zaroor dekh lena. Acha lagega. Hume."
Then there was some rustling again. Nakul came back on and said, "Any last words Senior Inspector Abhijeet?"
"Tumhe wapas aana parega Nakul. Kyun ki sir naa sirf bachayenge lekin zinda bhi rahayenge. Tumhara plan fail ho gaya hai," Abhijeet said, confidently.
"Nahi. Mera plan successful ho gaya hai. Woh zinda bhi rahe toh koi nahi. Unke undar ki aatma toh maar hi gayi hai. Kyun ki unhe ab hamasa yeh yaad rahega ke unke aapne bete ne unhe maarne ki koshish ki hai. Aur mere liye abhi ke liye itna hi kafi hai," Nakul stated, happily.
From the background, Sehar called out, "Aur haan mujhe koi dhuk nahi hai ke maine kisi ke emotions ke saath khela. I love Nakul aur isli maine sab kuch iske liye kiya hai."
"Aur ab aakhri baat. Hum 20 minute main desh chorke jaane wale hain. Kyun ki hamara kam ho gaya hai. Toh agar 20 minute main hume rok sakho toh rok lo," Nakul said.
Then he hung up. Abhijeet turned to Daya and Daya said, "Chhatrapati airport."
Purvi came rushing out at that exact time with a wrapped box. She said, "Sir aur kuch toh nahi mila lekin yeh mila hai. Hamare naam pe hai."
"Sab ko bula lo aur isse bhi saath le chalo. Gadi main dekh lenge," Abhijeet said.
The 6 officers ran out to their 2 Qualises. Abhijeet said, "Tum log wapas bureau pe jao Rajiv ko lekar. Hum log airport jaa rahe hain."
Without waiting for any arguments, Abhijeet and Daya got into one Qualis and Daya squealed out of the driveway.
*****
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, 12:10PM
Daya braked to a stop outside the gate and, after showing their badge to the approaching security guard, rushed into the airport. But they knew they were too late. They had only 5 minutes left and they had no details on where Nakul and Sehar were exactly.
As if to prove the point, the head of security of the airport came in from the outside. Apparently he had been called because of the duo's car. He looked around and saw the duo looking around the airport and walked over to them. He asked, "Kya woh gadi aap dono ki hai?"
"Haan kyun?" Abhijeet asked.
"Aap dono CID se hain?" the head of security asked.
"Haan," Daya agreed, showing his badge.
"Aap ke liye ek message hai. Yeh li jiye," the head of security said, taking out a note.
"Yeh aap ko kisne diya tha?" Abhijeet asked, as Daya took the note.
"Mere ek security guard ne mujhe diya tha. Usse ek passenger ne diya tha. Kaha tha ke jab CID se koi aaye toh unhe de dena," the head of security replied. "Aur...umm...aapni gadi jaldi hata dena. Jaanta hoon police wale ho lekin aap ke gadi pe nahi likha hai toh galat impression banega."
The head of security left as Daya opened the note. It was short and in English:
You lose. We win. We are leaving the country forever now.
Abhijeet and Daya looked at each dejected. They had been able to catch the one person who had attempted to kill ACP Pradyuman. He had come into the country, done what he wanted to, and left. At the same time he had opened a secret that had stayed hidden for 10 years. If he hadn't come back they would never have found out that Sehar was so deeply involved with him.
Daya said, dejectedly, "Boss hum haar gaye. Pehli baar koi criminal hamare haat se nikal gaya. Aur woh bhi aisa criminal jisne sir pe goli chala di aur sir ko critical condition main dal diya. Pata nahi sir se kya kahenge."
"Samjh toh mujhe bhi nahi aa raha hai. Chalo hospital chalte hain. Wahani sochenge," Abhijeet replied.
The two left the airport with the note in their hands.
*****
Cooper Hospital, 12:48PM
Abhijeet and Daya walked down the hallway to the ICU where Dr. Salunkhe, Sachin, Freddy, Purvi, and Nikhil were already waiting. The present was sitting on the glass table. Dr. Salunkhe asked, "Kya huya? Nakul aur Sehar mile? Kahan hai woh dono?"
"Woh dono nahi mile," Abhijeet said, sadly.
"Kya? Aise kaisa sir?" Freddy asked, surprised.
Abhijeet and Daya explained what had happened since they had left the other officers. Since Dr. Salunkhe knew that Nakul and Sehar were behind everything they assumed that the 4 officers had told him everything else. After they finished, Dr. Salunkhe said, "Koi baat nahi. Aisa toh hona hi tha. Woh log itni asaani se Pradyuman ko nahi maar sakte hain."
"Sir ke condition main koi change?" Abhijeet asked.
"Haan. Dr. Dubey ne bataya hai ke Pradyuman critical condition main nahi rahe hain. Lekin agar unhe agle do ghante main hosh nahi aaya toh woh coma main jaa sakte hain. Agar sirf ek minute ke liye bhi hosh aaye toh woh bilkul thik ho sakte hain," Dr. Salunkhe replied.
"Bas ek baar sir ko hosh aa jaaye phir baad main Nakul aur Sehar ko pakdne ka sochenge," Daya said.
*****
Airplane, 1:10PM
Sehar laid her head on Nakul's shoulder and said, "Nakul tumhe nahi lagta hai ke hume celebrate karna chahiye. Aakhir tumhara plan toh successful ho gaya."
*****
Juhu Beach, Tuesday, 5:35PM
ACP Pradyuman reached into his back pocket for his gun, but before he could pull it out, Nakul fired a shot. He aimed directly at ACP Pradyuman's heart and hit him right above the heart. He fell backwards on the boat. Nakul and Sehar walked over to him and lifted him and threw him into the water. Then they started laughing. Sehar looked towards the boatman who was looking at the 2 in fear and said, "Nakul dear ab iska bhi kuch karna parega."
Nakul stepped down to the steering area and pointing the gun at the boatman and cocking his head to a side said to Sehar, "Toh phir isse bhi maar dete hain."
"Maar do. Lekin phir CID tak hamari baat kaise paunchengi?" Sehar wondered.
"Toh thik hai," Nakul said. Turning to the boatman he said, "Kisi se kuch bola toh maarega. Sirf agar CID tumhare paas aaye toh unhe bata dena jo yahan huya. Iske eliva kisi se kuch bola toh samjh lena ke tum gaye."
Then the two got out of ACP Pradyuman's boat and back into their boat. They watched as the boat that ACP Pradyuman was on, left. Then Sehar and Nakul moved the boat closer to ACP Pradyuman and put a lifebuoy around his lifeless body. Nakul said, "Ab thodi deer yahani rehte hain. Phir inhe shore pe lekar jayenge. Tab tak let's enjoy."
About 2 hours later Nakul said, "Acha ab inhe shore pe lekar chalte hain. Yeh abhi maarne nahi chahiye."
Sehar nodded and got back behind the wheel. They dragged ACP Pradyuman's body to the shore and then leaving it, they turned their boat to their location.
*****
Airplane, 1:10PM
Nakul chuckled and put an arm around Sehar. He said, "Yep. Mere revenge pura huya. Main Dad ko maarna nahi chahta tha. Sirf unhe iss baat ka dhuk dena chahta tha ke unke aapne bete ne unhe maarne ki koshish ki thi. Ab gaya unka pyaar tel lene. Ab aayega maza. Ab jab main India pe attack karonga toh bahut maza aayega."
"Woh bachenge toh naa? Kahin humne zada der toh nahi laga diya unhe shore main lekar jaane main?" Sehar asked, worriedly.
"Don't worry. Maine saari research kiya tha. Do ghante paani main rehne ke baad pneumonia ho jaata hai lekin usse recover bhi ho sakte hain. Unhe abhi hosh aane wala hoga," Nakul said. "Now let me get us some champagne."
"Get 2 bottles. Main party karne ke mood main hoon," Sehar said, sitting up and calling for an air hostess.
"Oh really. Main bhi party karne ke mood main hoon," Nakul said, chuckling.
After the air hostess brought the champagne, he clinked glasses with Sehar and said, ominously, "Daddy dearest. Intezaar karna. Main wapas zaroor aaonga."
*****
Cooper Hospital, 1:30PM
There was a loud ding from the ICU. The 6 officers and Dr. Salunkhe rushed forward, but before they could do anything 2 nurses and Dr. Dubey rushed in. As the officers and Dr. Salunkhe watched, ACP Pradyuman opened his eyes. Dr. Dubey removed the oxygen mask and looked out and smiled at the officers.
He came out and said, "Woh ab khatre se bhar hain. Lekin woh abhi phir se araam kar rahe hain. Jab unhe dobara hosh aayega tab aap log unse mil sakte hain."
The tense expressions gave away to smiles and relief that ACP Pradyuman would be alright. Abhijeet made a promise at that moment, "Hum Nakul ko pakde kar rahenge ek din."
"Bilkul pakdenge. Aur usse saza bhi dilayenge," Daya agreed, making a promise as well.
Then they all went into the ICU to wait for ACP Pradyuman to wake up again.
Originally posted by: ANGELICEYES
Will read soon Shreya di.. What's ATC? Agency like ATS?
Originally posted by: gadhadada
Honestly SHERYU, I really Want to KILL YOU Larki...😉😆😆 That's why I ran away. 😆 I'm expecting more threats on my life. 😆I read Your Story and really Enjoyed NAKUL at His Peak...⭐️⭐️U tried to Extract the Same Situation FW CV's showed in that Epi with Excellent Protocols...👏👏the Inclusion of Interpol followed by Raw then to Other Security Agencies U added Awesomly...⭐️⭐️then ACP Sir Memory Lane...😊😊its was Really Cool especially reading reagrding the Gifts of Watch and Goggles...😳😳u penned down it So Cutely that I read it quite some times...🤗then the Hospital Visit and through Dr Cabin the Next Journey started and then ACP Sir Collapsed...👏👏Now the, Main Story started...😈really Yaar, a Big Jhakta when I read NAKUL and His Partner...⭐️⭐️⭐️the Partner was Really Shocking not for ACP Sir but for Me too...😉👏👏Somehow U backed DUO and thats the Best thing in Your Story...⭐️⭐️Nakul and His whole Plan was Fantastic...⭐️⭐️especially His Motive was so True and Acceptable...⭐️⭐️10 years Waiting was also OK to Accept...👏Loved the way Nakul used Every Bait and showed CID that still He is ACP Sir Son...⭐️⭐️kuch tou GARBAR Us kay ander aayey gi na...😆😆DR Statement was also OK but Somehow He would stated it after His Family Demise or Earlier of it...😊😊 Well I kind of wanted to show that he wanted to forget it even after his family's demise. 😊Loved U showed ACP Sir also Human and having Family around whose main Focus was His Health right now...👏👏I loved how NAKUL with His Partner Escaped from Country and DUO backed with Empty Hands...⭐️⭐️Everything was Awesome...⭐️⭐️the End was giving Heart Attack as I want NAKUL RETURN (RELOADED) again in Your Story but Not in CID...🤣😉 Ah a Nakul Returns (Reloaded). But I'm still not going to get him caught. I like hi a free bird. 😛 😉A Big Thank You so much for this Anniversary Gift...😳Thank you so much for appreciating GD! 😃
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