Whole day team was worried for Abhijeet. They were unable to trace his current location. Nor Abhijeet switched on his phone. Team was trying to contact him again and again. But nothing was in their hands till Abhijeet reach Mumbai. So, they were waiting for him. Meanwhile, after composing himself, Abhijeet sat in the car. He drank water from water bottle washed his face and started driving to Mumbai. He decided to drive by car so that he can reach late and get time to compose himself to face the team as well as Tarika. He was driving lost in his thoughts. Abhijeet was thinking –
Jab tkk Tarika theek nahi ho jaati tab tkk usse es baare mein baat krna theek nahi hoga. Us par bura asar bhi pad skta. Usee pehle theek hona hoga. Han… Yahi theek hoga. Tb tkk ye zehrila ghoot pi jao Abhijeet. Vaise bhi ab ye mamla mujhe akele hi handle krna h. Ye baat kisi bhi haal mein bahr nahi aani chahiye. Lekin ye sab kaise ho sakta h…
Again and again he was feeling angry and helpless. Tears were forming in his eyes again and again. He was wiping his tears. After a long drive he finally reached Mumbai. He was feeling better now or pretending to be…only he knows. He reached near his house and switched on his phone which he intentionally switched off in the hotel itself. He didn't want any disturbance. He didn't want his team members or Daya or ACP to call him as he knew he would loose his composure. None to his shock, he received so many misscalls, messages and whatsapp messages.
Boss kahan ho. Aur phone kyu band h? Message pdhte hi call back krna.
Boss sabko bhut fikar ho rhi h.
Boss tum theek toh ho.
Abhi kya hua. Please phone uthao.
Abhijeet kya baat h? Tum phone band krke baithe ho. Tum toh kabhi apna phone band nahi krte.
Sir aap theek toh h? ACP Sir toh apni tension hum par nikal rahe h gussa krke. Jaldi wapas aa jayiye sir.
And many more… This made Abhijeet smile as well cry. How can he ignore his family? No he can't. He ignored them for his own reasons and they are worried for him. He shouldn't have switched off his phone. He should have informed them. But he didn't. He was cursing him for that. But a sudden thought hit his mind. Wait! What will be their reaction after revealation of truth? No, they won't believe him. They will again question him.
Again, he got confused. Should he be happy for his family's concern. Or he should be worried for their reaction in the future. Finally, he reached at a conclusion that he will not let anyone know about it…no matter what happens. Just then his phone rang and he jerked out from his thoughts.
Abhijeet – H… (Before he could even complete his hello the caller started in angry voice)
Caller – Ye kya tarika (way) h Abhijeet. Hum log subeh se pareshaan h tumhare liye aur tum phone band krke baithe ho. Abhi bhi tum phone nahi uthate toh main Delhi aane wala tha. Tum theek ho. Hello…Abhijeet … meri aawaz aarhi h…Hello.
Abhijeet (smiling in tears) – Hello… Daya!
Daya – Kya Daya. Kab se bole ja rha hun. Tum chup kyu ho.
Abhijeet – Tum kuch bolne doge tab na. Kab se khud hi chup nahi ho rahe aur ab mujhe keh rhe ho.
Daya (concern tone) – Tum theek toh ho.
Abhijeet – Han Daya… Main theek hun.
Daya – Phir aap kuch batane ka kasht krenge.
Abhijeet – Han Bilkul… Main phunch gya Mumbai. Abhi phuncha hun. Thodi der mein ghar phunch jaunga.
Daya – Aur phone.
Abhijeet – Han voh battery dead thi toh switch off hogya. Mujhe pta nahi chala. Abhi thodi der pehle hi charge krke on kiya. Power bank tha mere pass. Bs check krna bhool gya.
Daya – Oh ok. Lekin tum late kaise hogye aur tum gaadi mein?
Abhijeet – Han Delhi se drive krke aa rha hun. Main kll raat late hogya tha aur flight nikal gyi.
Daya (suspicious tone) – Tum pkka theek ho na…aur ye tumhari aawaz…
Abhijeet – Han bhai main theek hun. Bs thoda thaka hua hun isliye aawaz esi aa rhi h.
Daya – Ok. Main aata hun thodi der mein.
Abhijeet – Tum kahan ho?
Daya – Airport…abhi thodi der aur tum phone nahi uthate toh main Delhi ki flight pakadne wala tha… Khair chlo milte h.
Abhijeet – Ok.
Both cut the call and tears formed in his eyes again. Listening Daya's care filled angry voice he became weak again. No matter what happen Daya can't leave him. He wiped his tears and started driving towards home. Meanwhile Daya felt something wrong in his voice but he thought to dig the matter later. Abhijeet reached home and opened the door with a duplicate key. Tasha immidiately got up listening door opening voice and got relaxed seeing Abhijeet.
Tasha – Sir aap kahan thee. Hum kitna pareshaan…
Abhijeet (cut her) – Main janta hun Tasha. Kuch nahi hua h mujhe…I am fine. Tumne Tarika ko toh nahi btaya na.
Tasha – Nahi sir…usee bas itna hi btaya h k aap meeting ki vajeh se Delhi mein ruke h.
Abhijeet – Ok…good.
And he narrated whole to Tasha which he narrated to Daya. Tasha served him dinner. Both had dinner together. Tarika was already asleep. Tasha left for her room while Abhijeet was waiting for Daya. Meanwhile Daya informed the team along with ACP sir about Abhijeet and reached his house. He opened the door and entered inside. Before he could call Abhijeet's name, he saw him sleeping on sofa. He was sleeping in his formals itself. He was in a sitting position with arms crossed on chest and head slighltly down. Tiredness engulfed him in the soothing shell of sleep. He was looking like an innocent soul while sleeping. Daya smiled seeing him. He immidiately went to guest room took a blanket and covered Abhijeet properly. He switched extra lights locked the door and left for his home.
…
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Brawny.