Chapter 8

Mumbai Airport.

The two of them stood still looking at Aditya, maybe due to shock or confusion or maybe each one of them were too occupied with their thoughts in mind which were suddenly erupted after Aditya's arrival. On the contrary Aditya has something else in his mind running from the last many years. He faked a smile while looking at Daya and Tarika before initiate to speak.

Aditya :ahm ..chale..(he said looking at them)

Tarika came out of the trance due to Aditya.

Tarika: haan chelate hain..Daya chalo..

Daya: haan..main tumahre bag le leta huin (and he extended his hand to get Aditya's suitcase but Aditya denied..)

Aditya: rehne do Day ..uncle..main le lunga..(he quickly corrected himself. ) Btw, Tarika aunty aur Daya uncle mere saath aur bhi koi aaya hain..meri friend aayi hain.

Daya: friend?

Aditya: haan..woh hum ek sath padte hain..jab use pata chala ki main India aane wala huin toh usne bhi insist kiya hain, issliye main le aaya use..

Tarika: okay..but woh hain kaha?

Aditya turned and glanced around the area to look for his friend, when he caught a glimpse of her he called her name.

Aditya: Maya..

A girl similar to Aditya's age headed towards their direction, she was wearing blue colored tank top with brown colored kepri, her hair was tied in a lose bun .she smiled looking at them.

Aditya turned to Tarika and Daya to introduce her.

Aditya: yeh Maya hain..meri friend..

Maya: hi..(she greeted them with smile, Daya and Tarika also welcomed her. After welcoming her, they all turned to leave towards Tarika's home. Daya occupied his driver seat with Tarika next to him while Aditya and Maya at the back. Their journey started but in midst of this journey a random journey of minds and thoughts started in tarika's mind as she looked at Aditya's face which was so similar to Abhijeet, whom she lost 10 years ago..

10 YEARS..pretty long time to forget the persons, In 10 years every memory fades but this memory rooted deep in her mind. She can still remember that fateful day when the truth revealed, when they were forced to accept the bitter truth of their life, the day when all came to halt, the day which changed her life..their life..The day when she came to know about his death's..Abhijeet's death!

Flashback

Tarika's home

After a quick shower, Tarika joined tasha in kitchen to help her with the breakfast but Tarika denied and assured her that she will take care of all the work, as she knew that Tarika need some rest. After few mins, Tasha arrived in the hallway with some sandwiches and two mugs of coffee. Tasha initiated the talk, telling her about the recent gossips and shopping sales and recent movies reviews but soon she realized that Tarika was never interested in their talk, her mind was only occupied with concern for him. From that day, Tarika only wished for his safety and live with the hope that "someday he would be back to them, alive" She never disclosed her emotions in front of their team-mates, but deep inside she knew that she was crumbling emotionally, Tasha knew this. Tasha just prayed silently that all things sorted out soon.

When she was praying, her cell buzzed, she glanced at the caller-id, it was a call from vivek, she quickly received it before it could get cut.

Tasha: bolo Vivek..woh main Tarika ke ghar par huin, tum kaha ho? Bureau main..okay aati huin..haan Tarika ko bhi leke aati huin..theek hain, main pochti huin waha. (and she disconnected the call)

Tasha: Tarika, hume Bureau chalna hoga..Acp sir ne urgent meeting bulayi hain.

Tarika: okay, tum ruko main ready hokar aati huin.

Tasha: okay..par jaldi..agar late hogaya toh Acp sir kaafi dantenge..

Tarika: haan, I know..jaldi aati huin..

(and she headed towards her room to get ready. After getting ready and taking all necessary things she was about to leave the home, when something hit her mind)

Tarika: ek min, Tasha we can't leave..

Tasha: kyu? Kya problem hain?

Tarika: Adi..woh bahar gaya hain na..agar by chance woh ghar par aaya aut ghar par koi nhi mila toh bechara darr jayega..

Tasha: hana yeh tho hain..pata nhi kaha chala gaya yeh..

Tarika: yeh ladka bhi na..aap kaha dhundu use..bata ke bhi nhi gaya..

Tasha: humlog ek kaam kare, yaha par joh park hain na waha per check kare?

Tarika: haan, yeh theek rahega, chalo (and they decided to check for Aditya in nearby playground. As they were heading towards the doorway, they noticed Aditya standing in the doorway looking at them.)

Tarika: Adi..aagye tum..chalo hum chalna hain.. ( Aditya nodded)

Tarika, Tasha and Aditya quickly moved out and got in Tarika's car and they all headed towards bureau. While Tarika and Tasha were discussing about some random things, Adi stared at them guiltily.

Aditya(thinking) I'm Sorry..aap sabko Sorry..aap sabse ko sabse bada jhut bolne jaa raha huin..janta huin yeh jhut bolkar main aap sabko bohaut bada dukh dene wala huin aur iskeliye main aap sab ka gunehegar huin..but mere pass aur koi rasta bhi nhi hain..ab bas yahi ek rasta hain, aapko mujhse dur karne ka..inn sabmain apko bohaut tehch pochegi par yahi behtar hoga, aaplkeliye ..(Looking at Tarika) Tarika, I'm really Sorry! Aaj tumnse sabse jhut bolne jaa raha huin..I know iss jhut se tumhe kaafi takleef hogi, tut jaogi tum..but trust me, yahi behtar hoga tumahre liye, humare riste keliye..Tum jitna jaldi mujhe bhulegii aur mujhe aapne aap se dor karogi utne hi tumahre liye behtar hoga..I'm Sorry Tarika..I'm sorry..

Aditya was so much engrossed in thoughts that he failed to notice that they has already reached the bureau building, Tarika was parking her car in the area, after carefully parking it, she got down from the car followed by Tasha and Aditya. Tarika held Aditya's hand as they started moving towards the bureau, where everyone was waiting for the meeting, when they met Freddy and Vivek in the corridor.

Tasha: Vivek, sir..(she called them) kya huwa yaha kyu khade ho? Meeting hain na..chalo andar chalo..

Vivek: woh Tasha meeting cancel hogai hain..Salunkhe Sir ne hum sabko abhi ke abhi Lab main bulaya hain..keh rahe hain kaafi urgent hain.

Tarika: Salunkhe sir ne? aisa kya urgent kaam aagaya..

Freddy: woh toh wahi chalkar pata lagega…

Vivek: haan, chalo chelate hain..

Tarika: haan chalo, par ( she looked down at Aditya) Adi, tum..tum yahi ruko Bureau main..theek hain..

Aditya: nhi Tarika…aunty main bhi aaonga..

Tarika: par Ad..

Aditya: please aunty..( Tarika couldn't denied him so she agreed.)

( they quickly moved towards the lab. When they entered they found Acp and daya already present in the lab with salunkhe seating in his chair with a serious look. Towards the right side of his desk, one stretcher was stood and was kept covered with white sheet of cloth, probably hiding some corpse. Acp stared at the old forensic expert angrily, who was seating on his chair motionless, Acp was on the verge of losing his temper on his dear friend.)

Acp called Salunkhe's name angrily trying his best to keep his anger tone to minimum.

Acp: Salunkhe..ab bataiyega ki hume yaha kyu bulaya hain? Pichle adhe ghante se hum yaha hain..aur tu hain ki kuch batane ka naam hi nhi le raha..aakhir huw akya hain? Kyu tumne hume yaha bulaya?

( the assistant commissioner of police questioned. But despite of this the doctor didn't respond. He stayed still as statue at his place. This made Acp really mad.)

Acp: SALUNKHE! ( he shouted angrily) tu kuch bolega ya nhi..kyu bulaya tumne hum sbko yaha?

Salunkhe glanced at him with cold expressions and then to the 8year old Aditya who was standing next to Tarika. He eyed him directly straight in his eyes, as if asking him to think twice befoe this could happen but on the other hand Aditya merely nodded affirmatively as signaling him to go ahead.

Salunkhe let out a painful sigh as he got up from his seat and made his way towards Acp, he stood in front of him.

Salunkhe: tu jana chatha hain na ki maine tum sab ko yaha kyu bulaya? Toh sun, tum sabko yaha bulane ki wajh sirf ek hain..aur woh hain yeh lassh (he said while pointing towards the covered corpse)

Acp: kisski lash hain yeh? ( acp asked in his orderly tone)

Salunkhe closed his eyes as he knew that he can't stand his teammates reactions once the truth is revealed. He mustered all his strength before he could utter those three words.

Salunkhe: Senior Inspector Abhijeet

( A silence prevailed for 1-2 secs before everyone could react to it. All glanced at salunkhe and back to the covered corpse, they couldn't believe what the forensic doctor told them. All looked at him shockingly, Daya who was shocked at Salunkhe's statement quickly headed towards him and caught hold of his arm.)

Daya: Sir, aap jhut bol raeh hain na…yeh ..yeh Abhijeet nhi ho sakta..keh dijiye ki yeh jhut hain..

(before salunkhe could answer his questions, daya moved towards the covered corpse, he pulled out the sheet from the corpse and looked at it unbelievingly. The face was corpse was completely ruined and couldn't be identified. )

Daya: yeh Abhijeet nhi ho sakta..I'm sure..( turning back to Acp) haan na Sir..ye humara abhijeet nhi hain..nhi hain yeh..

Acp was also shocked at his friend's confession.

Acp: salunkhe, yeh tu kya anab-shanad bol raha hain..janta hain tu kya bol raha hain..haan? ( he demanded angrily)

Salunkhe: boss, main kuch galat nhi bol raha..main sach keh raha huin..ye lash Abhijeet ki hi hain..aur..(but before he could complete the sentence, Daya interrupted him)

Daya: Nhi salunkhe sahib..yeh lash Abhijeet kin hi hain..main pure yakin ke saath keh sakta hun..

Salunkhe: daya..

Freddy, Vivek , tasha who were also present on the room were having a hard time to believe what salunkhe told. Freddy started crying when salunkhe disclosed the truth, even Vivek and Tasha's eyes filled with tears when they heard that there Senior was no more.

Freddy: (Crying) Salunkhe Sir, yeh aap kya keh rhea hain? Abhijeet Sir, aise kaise..mujhe pura yakin hain Sir woh huem chodke nhi jayenge..hume poora yakin hain unn par..

Vivek put a hand on freddy's shoulder to console him.

Vivek: haan Sir, freddy sir theek keh rahe hain..Abhijeet sir zinda hain..wo..

Salunkhe: Freddy, Vivek main samjh sakhat huin ki tumsab par kya beet rahi hain..par samjhne ki koshsih karo..joh sachai hain woh koi nhii badal sakta..Abhijeet is no more..

Tasha: nhi Sir..aap ..(turning to Tarika) Tarika tum samjaho salunkhe sir ko..wo..(but Tasha quickly shut her mouth when she noticed that Tarika was standing still looking at the corpse, she was not at all reacting to the news, she was just blankly staring the corpse. Tasha got worried for her and caught hold of her) Tarika..Tarika (she shook her, Tarika looked at Tasha with complete blank stare and once again back to the corpse.) Tarika..are you okay..( Tarika released herself from Tasha's grip and moved towards the corpse, she looked at it then turn to look at salunkhe)

Tarika: Sir, aap..yeh..yeh Abhijeet nhi..

Salunkhe: Tarika ( Salunkhe put her hand on her head and tried to make her understand) yeh Abhijeet hain..maine sare tests confirm kiye hain..

Tarika: nhi..nhi..aisa nhi hain..main test karti huin..I'm sure, yeh Abhijeet nhi hain..(and she moved towards the desk, but salunkhe pulled her back with jerk ) TARIKA..Samajh ne ki koshsih karo..Abhijeet maar chukka hain..HE IS DEAD! Senior Abhijeet maar chukka hain..

( Tarika released herself from Salunkhe's and ran from that room without looking back at anyone. As she left Salunkhe looked at Aditya who held his head down in guiltiness, he cursed himself and felt sorry for all his teammates, after all he was the reason behind their all pains and tears. He glanced at Daya his best buddy, who was shattered on his dead news and was crying while convincing himself that the corpse was not Abhijeet and his friend, boss is alive somewhere, he looked at freddy who was weeping at his senior's death,he looked at tasha who was crying on Vivek's shoulder, Acp was trying very hard to control his tears but he was failing, the tears were rolling down from his cheeks . Aditya knew that he was terribly wrong by doing this but he know that it was better that way. He decided to move out of the room as he can't stand the crying face of his teammates, who were mourning over their senior death, the death which never took place.

He came out of the lab and headed towards the roof of their building as he knew that she was present there, crying silently so that no-one knew about it. He reached at the roof and glanced at the area, and there he found her, seating in one of the corners. He moved towards her, she was hugging her legs and was shedding her tears; he placed his small hand on her hair to console her. Tarika shivered at his touch but relaxed soon when she saw the 8yr old kid staring at her.

Aditya: mat ro..(and he cleared her tears with his small fingers which were trailing from her eyes)

Tarika: adii..( she cried bitterly)

Aditya felt a pain in his chest when he saw her crying, he felt worst bcoz he knew that she was crying bcoz of him, he was the reason behind her tears..damn Him, he cursed himself.

Tarika: Adi..wo..woh kaise mujhe chod ke jaa sakta hain..how could he..how co..main use nhi maaf karungi..kabh inhi..wo..he left me..Adi..he left me..he broke his promise..ho..

( Adi's heart pained seeing her like this, he felt like killing himself but he knew he can't. )

Tarika: adi..Abhijeet..wo..(Tarika choked, it was unable for her even to complete the sentence. She was weeping such hard..aditya couldn't take this longer so he lunged towards her, he tried pulling her into hug, though, it was quiet impossible for him, but still he tried, he wrapped his hands around her, though he couldn't wrap her fully but still it was the only thing he could do. He held her close to him, Tarika was quiet shocked by his act but still she didn't budge, somewhere she felt good, she felt relaxed, she felt him in that hug. They remained in that hug for few minutes, they both needed it. After few minutes they separated from it. Aditya cleared her tears and looked in her eyes before he could speak)

Aditya: I promise ..I will never leave you..kabhi tumare satah nhi chodunga..jab tak huin, tab tak tumhre saath nibhaonga..

Adi said, Tarika was quiet shocked to hear such words from 8 year old one but she believed some corner of her heart, she felt relaxed and contended at his confession..

Screech..

Daya pulled the breaks when they stopped outside Tarika's home and with that Tarika's thought also stopped, she looked at Adi as she remembered his confession, his promise which he made with her at the tender age and which he continued to maintain till this age. They all got down from the car and entered in the house. Tarika quickly moved towards kitchen to make breakfast for them. Daya also followed to help her. Meanwhile Aditya and maya headed towards guest room to get freshen up. After getting fresh Aditya headed towards kitchen to meet Daya and Tarika, where Tarika was setting the dishes and Daya was watching some news. When Tarika called Aditya.

Tarika: Adi..

Aditya: haan..

Tarika: Adi, Maya ko bula lo..breakfast ready hain..

Aditya: okay..( and he started heading towards guest room which was Maya's room for time being, when Tarika called him once again)

Tarika: Adi..

Adi: kya?

Tarika: wo Maya, aapne kamre main nhi hain..woh garden main hain,

Adi:okay..( and adi headed towards garden to call Maya for breakfast. When he noticed maya was holding her cigarette and was about to smoke, Aditya quickly quickened his pace and grabbed the cigarette from her hand before she could have a puff, he threw the cigarette.

Aditya: behave yourself Maya. This not US, this is India. Yaha par koi bhi 18 saal ki ladki cigarette nhi piti..

Maya: for god sake..I'm not 18, I'm 32! I'm adult so I'm liable to do anything, okay Abhije..

(but before Maya could complete Adiya interrupted)

Aditya: MAYA..pagal hogayi ho..don't call me Abhijeet..Call me Aditya or Adi..I don't want anyone to know the truth..

Maya: why?

Aditya: It's better that way..

Maya: you know what Abhi..( Aditya glared at him angrily so she corrected herself) Adi, I think It's a high time, I think you should tell them the truth..usse jana ka haq hain..

Aditya: nhi Maya..wo dono iss sachai se anjan hain yahi unn dono keliye acha hain..after all main aapni galti ki saja unn dono ko nhi de sakta..

Maya: Adi iss galti tumhari nhi hain..meri hain..After all I'm responsible for your such situation..Na main kabhi wo medicine banati na tum aise..

Aditya: chod Maya..beeti huwi baat ko yaad kake koi fayda nhi..it's simply waste..chalo yaha se..

( and Aditya left from there laving Maya alone)

Maya(thinking) Sorry Abhijeet..I'm solely responsible for ruining your life..or to be more specific your and her life..I should have never created that drug..that drug that changed not only yours but my life too..the drug which was supposed to be boon for human life turned out to be the biggest curse for it. The drug which should never be invented..the drug..APOTOXIN -4869!


AN

APOTOXIN- 4869? THis is the biggest hint of the overall story! :D

Kuch logon ne guess karliya hain ki yeh story ka plot kya hain and they are and Cute Smile :)

So ab maine Hint tho de di..lets see ki kissi kissi samjh aata han yeh actual plot..aur agar na samjh aaye toh koi baat nhi main huin na :D

and haan Wish you all a very Happy New year and thanks again for all the support :)