Chapter 10

'Goddamn it! Where the hell is she?' Daya yelled making everyone jump.

'Sir I can't reach her cellphone. I don't know why it is outside the coverage area' said Pankaj.

'I can't believe anybody can be so irresponsible! We are in the middle of a case here and she's gone on her own without informing anyone. What the hell!' said Daya angrily.

'When did Shreya call you Vikram? Did she say that she was going somewhere?' asked Daya.

'No sir. She didn't mention about going anywhere. She had told me she had found something in Jia's diary but she didn't say what exactly. She seemed pretty excited She had called me at 3 in the morning.' said vikram.

'She didn't mention anything to me either' Daya murmured absentmindedly.

'Had you met her yesterday, sir?' asked Vikram.

'Yeah I was with her till 1 am maybe and then...' said Daya not realising that everyone was staring at him wide eyed.

Daya and Shreya were together at 1 am? This was news! Something was definitely cooking!

Realising that he had said a bit too much, Daya looked at Vikram who hastily looked away averting his gaze. The silence in the room was very uncomfortable. But to Daya's relief, diversion came in the form of Jaywanti. She sounded extremely worried.

'Sir, something is wrong. I traced Shreya ma'am's cellphone just to make sure. I am getting a very feeble signal somewhere in the woods. And it's not moving!' she said.

'What?' said Daya in a panicky voice.

'Sir, we should go and look for her immediately. What if something has happened to her?' asked Vikram in a worried voice.

Daya looked troubled.

'Had something happened to her? Had the bitter spat between them provoked her to do something reckless? But she wasn't... God, Shreya I hope you are okay - '

'Sir? Shall we go and look for Shreya?' asked Vikram breaking into his thoughts.

Daya felt he twinge of annoyance looking at Vikram's concern for her.

'I will go and look' said Daya.

Everyone stared at him.

'One of you can accompany me. Others get back to work' commanded Daya.

'Sir I will come with you. Please sir.' said Vikram.

'Okay' said Daya a bit reluctantly.

O-o-o-o

Once the reached the destination they saw shreya's car and they knew they were in the right place. They spread out immediately looking for her.

Daya's heart was thudding loudly. He was filled with a feeling of dread. 'Please god, let her be okay' he murmured looking around for any sign of her.

He was about to move deeper into the woods, when he heard Vikram's voice. He sounded scared.

Nerves jangling, Daya rushed in the direction of the sound.

He saw Vikram crouching over Shreya's unconscious form. Daya made his way towards the pair of them and he knew after throwing one look at her that the situation was indeed very bad.

She looked ghostly pale. A pool of blood lay to the right side of her head where the assailant had hit her.

'What's wrong with her?' Daya asked urgently.

'Sir, she is breathing I think. Somebody hit her on the head.' said Vikram. 'I will call the ambulance'

'No, I will drive her to the hospital. We can't wait till the ambulance arrives. Get the car. Quick!' said Daya and Vikram went immediately to get the car.

Daya caught her hand tightly and his other hand tangled into her hair. He didn't know whether she would be able to understand or not yet he whispered soothingly, 'You are going to be alright. You are safe. I am not going to let anything happen to you.' He hesitated a bit and then whispered, 'I love you Shreya'

A hour later found Daya and Vikram waiting in the hospital for Shreya to gain consciousness. She was completely out of danger, the doctor had assured them. Daya was desperate to know what had happened the previous night.

Another half an hour later, Shreya had finished recounted the everything that had happened the previous night.

Daya peered carefully at the photograph of Jia and her friend Divya and then passed it on to Vikram.

'Bloody hell! This is something totally new. Never heard about Divya from anybody whom I have questioned so far.' said Vikram.

'I think we should match the sketch with this photograph. I have a feeling that Divya is the girl we are looking for' said Shreya.

'Yes. I think so too' agreed Daya, appearing deep in thought.

'I don't know, sir. The sketch is too bad. The guy in the gym couldn't remember anything. I think he was just inventing stuff' said Vikram.

'Hmmm... still we can't take any chances. I think you better go nd show him the actual picture. I have told Pankaj to forward this photograph to all local police stations. Any sighting of Divya will be informed immediately. Jaywanti has gone to the police station to get the report of the theft which happened yesterday. I am going to have a little chat with the deaf owner. I think she might be able to help us' said Daya.

'What am I going to do?' asked Shreya. 'The doctor said that I am completely out of danger. The blow was too hard and that's why I fell unconscious. I can get back to work -'

'You are going home. You are going to take full day rest and you are going to join us tomorrow' said Daya sternly.

'I can't possibly do that!' said Shreya sounding aghast. 'We are almost on the verge of solving the case -'

'We have other officers, Shreya. The doctor told me that you need full day's rest to recover completely.' said Daya.

'But -' Shreya began to protest.

'I said no. I am the boss and you are going to follow my orders' said Daya.

'You are not my boss here! This is my personal decision' said Shreya flaring up.

'Please stop arguing Shreya. Calm down and eat your breakfast' said Daya pointing to the untouched food plate.

'Sir, if you want to interrogate the owner I can drive Shreya home' said Vikram.

'No, I am going to drive her home. I think you better leave. We can't afford to waste anymore time.' said Daya.

'Okay sir' said Vikram sounding slightly put out. 'Take care Shreya. Get well soon' he said and left.

When they were alone, Shreya faced Daya, her face contorted with fury.

'You can't stop me! You have no right' she said.

'I can. You know that' said Daya.

'What the hell Daya? Why do you always have to be so dominating? Why-'

'Are you insane?' Daya shouted making her stop talking.

She stared at him. There was a certain angry, wild look in his eye.

'You almost got yourself killed yesterday! Did you even think about me? Why did you have to go there alone? Couldn't you inform anybody? I was so worried when I saw you unconscious! For a minute I thought I had lost you. I do care about you very much you know!' he said.

Shreya stared at him, shocked by his sudden outburst.

As she realised what he had said, she felt warm within herself. She felt protected and safe.

A moment later, she mumbled a feeble "sorry" without meeting his eye.

Before Daya could reply, the doctor cam inside to tell Daya that he needed to sign a papers to complete the discharge formalities.

Sometime later, Daya drove Shreya to her home. The entire ride passed in silence. They went to her apartment where Daya helped her settle comfortably on her bed.

'Please Shreya, take some rest. You can come to bureau tomorrow' said Daya.

Shreya nodded slowly.

For a moment they stared at one another and then Daya said, 'I am really sorry about yesterday. I shouldn't have got carried away...'

Remembering what he was referring to, she looked away blushing furiously.

Daya couldn't help feeling happy. He could feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe he had a chance. He wanted to talk to her right then. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her how much he had missed her and how much he still loved her. But he had a case to solve. This could wait.

Very reluctantly, he said, 'I have to go. There is so much more to do' he said. 'I will come back in the evening. If you need anything at all, I am just a phone call away, okay?'

'Yes. I am okay. Don't worry about me' she said smiling at him.

And then with one brief look at her, he left her apartment.