Chapter 7:
Morning came way more early, as the night was spent half lost in thoughts and half in the worry as to what was coming up next. Daya woke up finally at 7, after the seemingly - long sleep. He came out of the room, only to find Abhijeet gone. The room door was open and there was no activity evident in the kitchen.
Daya shook his head seeing that and said to himself. "Nashta bhi nahi kiya usne..(grabbing his car keys)pata nahi ab aur kya bakheeda khada karne wala hai yeh.." saying he just left the house towards the bureau.
As soon as he reached the bureau entrance, he heard some voices. And as he had expected it was from no one else but Abhijeet.
"Kya hai yeh han?yeh kam kiya hai tum logo ne? Iss..(throwing the folder in hand on the table harshly)iss plan ke basis pe jayenge hum wahan?" The voice of Abhijeet was loud and harsh, something he rarely uses. As others were having confused looks on their faces. Even though all of them were present, all of them felt equally clueless of whatever Abhijeet was saying, rather screaming.
"Sir woh actually plans main locations. Abtak fix nahi hue hai toh.." Pankaj tried to muster whatever courage he had to speak, but it was in vain as Abhijeet glared at him and spoke ahead.
"Locations toh tab final hongi na jab tum logo ki strategy baithegi jageh par..(pointing at all the maps on the table)yeh strategy nahi hai..adhe se jyada cheeze tum logo ab tak pata nahi hai..(glaring at all again)teen hafton se milke bass yeh bana hai?" Abhijeet asked no one in particular as everyone just averted their gazes unknown to what was happening and why was he so angry.
"Strategy humne banayi hai sir..(pausing)sir matlab area ka analysis karle hi wahan ja rahe hai.."
"Jagah ke bare me jankari hasil matlab kya kiya hai?(going towards the other table)ek nayi teen camps hai unke…(everyone looked at each other)ek jagah se zindagi me kam nahi kiya hai usne..hamare pass hazar backup plans hote hai..uske pass nahi honge kya?(pressing his teeths and glaring at the one who said it)jagah ka analysis kiya hai bol rahe hai.." as he gazed aside in frustration while standing with his hands on his waist and irritation pasted on his face. Seeing that daya sighed and walked ahead towards them. As he walked there everyone else gazed at him in relief, hoping that atleast he will now take charge of whatever this was happening. But Abhijeet completely ignored his presence and continued his talk.
"Aur yeh..(pointing at the few pictures on the board)yeh magan..(going ahead and looking at it)iska nam kyu hai yaha?" As Abhijeet asked it dayas gaze went there too and he realised something, but before he can even say anything purvi spoke.
"Sir yeh toh somesh khabri ne diya tha information..ke wo bhi uski gang mai hai.." purvi said as Abhijeet turned towards her.
"What rubbish..(purvi stared at him in tension)yeh..ye mangu iski team me..do you people even know something?(gazing at all of them who were standing cluless and utterly scared of what new mistake was this)mangu is dead.." everyone stared at him in shock. Except daya who just came forward and tried to clarify.
"I know Abhijeet wo..inhe pata nahi.."daya came forward to clarify but got interrupted again.
"doh dino me operation work karana hai na?(speaking in a straight voice while looking at daya)and you guys have a dead man on suspect list?(daya tried to interrupt but Abhijeet ignored him and turned towards purvi again)aur kya kya sun ke baithe ho tum log somesh ka?" The tone in which Abhijeet was speaking was not just foreign to purvi but also to everyone in the bureau.
Purvi stared at him, as she felt fear even to say what she was about to say. But still feeling the constant gaze of Abhijeet on her she spoke. "Sir..actually wo locations and leads sab somesh..(gazing at daya for support)ne hi diye the..matlab..wo.."
Abhijeet shook his head as he spoke in low but angry voice. "Aur tum logo ne uske siwa kisi aur ko consult karne ki zaroorat bhi nahi samzi.. right?"Abhijeet spoke as he stood near the table directly facing purvi and others. As daya who was standing besides Abhijeet just gazed at purvi and spoke to Abhijeet.
"Maine hi inhe nahi kaha tha..already pehle baat failne se wo haath se ja chuka hai..(Abhijeet didn't turn just kept looking forward)maine mere kuch sources se pata kiya tha.. verified hai.." as he said that abhijeet spoke turning towards him.
"Ek mare hue insaan ke baare me team ko pata nahi hai..wahan uss din jo log samne aayenge unke bare me khak pata hoga inhe..(pointing at the team)ye kya koi relay chalraha hai..jo ue log itne linient hai.."abhijeets voice was still harsh as he was speaking with daya. Who nodded in acceptance but spoke ahead.
"I know Abhijeet..but time limit hai..sources kam hai..peechli baar kaisa tha waisa hi sab..(gazing at him)you know na peechli bar bhi kitni bhi planning ki humne..alag hi hua tha…(trying to calm the situation he added) tumne jo bola wo sahi hai..we will..do it.." as daya spoke this Abhijeet asked in an irritated tone.
"Doh din me?(gazing at him in Disbelief)yeh..sab mamla kitna bada hai dikh nahi raha tumhe?ab kya aise hi mu uthake chal padenge?" Daya gazed aside as he spoke.
"We have done this before..we.." Before daya could complete the sentence Abhijeet again picked up his pitch and spoke.
"Exactly..we have done this before..(looking at daya)but what about them?" As Abhijeet said that one of the new officers chirped.
"Sir hum karlenge sir..aap tension le rahe hai"
The silence in the bureau after what he said was loud enough for everyone to notice. As daya who was about to talk to Abhijeet just stared at that new officer's unnecessary courage in disbelief, it hasn't been hours when he had warned him and now this. Everyone else in the bureau too were staring at him in shock, even though he was new, he should've known when to keep quiet.
But it was too late, as Abhijeet turned towards him. As daya shook his head helplessly as he knew what was to come ahead.
"Kya kaha tumne?" Abhijeet spoke with his voice getting even more angrier than he intended to. Daya knew this very well, as he absolutely regretted telling Abhijeet about the things the newcomers spoke. Feeling this rising tension, daya just went to interrupt it.
"Abhijeet uska matlab.." but Abhijeet just stopped him while turning towards him.
"Pehli baar samne baat karni hai use..(pausing and adding in a firm tone) mai bhi toh sunu.." as Abhijeet said that daya just sighed and gazed aside. The firmness in Abhijeets gaze and voice was uninterruptible, and somewhere daya too didn't wanted to protect someone who was idiot enough to say this.
Turning back his attention towards the New officer who spoke Abhijeet walked ahead near him. As he came near him the tension in other officers eyes were ever increasing, as they weren't able to understand that what exactly was happening. As none of them knew what had happened before, what daya had heard them say.
"Sir wo..mai..sorry wo.."
"Maine pucha kya kaha tumne?" Abhijeet spoke in a flat and low tone.
The New officer looked at others hoping from some support, but was obviously met with ignored gazes, as no one wanted to side his idiotic behaviour. So just looked ahead at Abhijeet who wasn't moving anywhere until he spoke.
"Sir..I meant ke..hum handle kar sakte hai sir aap..jaisa soch rahe hai..utna hard nahi hoga..matlab..wo.." as he said it he knew he was going to regret every word of it.
"Handle..(pressing on that word)kitne cases handle kiye hai tumne?"
Taken aback by this question the officer gazed at him, but seeing his state just uttered something.
"Sir maine abhi join kiya hai.."
"Toh jab kuch handle karoge tab batana muze ke kis cheez ka tension lena chahiye aur kis cheez ka nahi..(pausing)jab aapne aankhon ke samne aapne team members ko marte dekhoge na..tab aakar sunana muze ke kaise I am overreacting and overthinking..(the officer gazed down)tumhe kya lag raha hai..mazak chalraha hai yahan?(pointing at the picture of raka on the board)ye..koi mamuli sa gunda lag raha hai tumhe?bewakoof hu mai?(in a shout suddenly)bewakoof hun!" Hearing his words everyone was standing silent. No one was even trying to interrupt what he was speaking.
"Muze koi shauq nahi hai tum logo ko gyaan batneka samze..(gazing at him in anger)aisa hi preparation karke gaye the hum sat saal pehle..(pausing)tab bhi information kam thi isse bhi jyada khatarknak area me tha wo..tab bhi sirf ek namcheen gunde ke aage kuch samza nahi tha baki sab departments ne use..(pointing at all those files) aur isi cheez ki wajah se usne dheere dheere deshat failayi..har department har kasbe me apna raob jamaya...aur..yeh..(in anger) ye ek gunda kehlane wala insaan ek internationally wanted criminal ban gya…(the officer gazed up at him) terah saal ho chuke the muze CID me..fir nhi jab isse samna hua tab bhi jaan jane ka waqt aagaya tha..freddy se lekar asha tak har kisi ki jaan khatre me thi..(everyone gazed silently at each other)wo khauf aur dar dekha hai maine logo ke aankhon me uske liye...police cid kisi cheez se farak nahi padta hai use…(gazing aside in frustration)najane kitne salon se ye mamla chal raha hai…" as Abhijeet ended saying that and gazing in frustration at the officer, daya came forward and spoke.
"I think ye samaz gaya hai Abhijeet..(gazing at him)ho gayi galti usse..he has understood ..ab tum..jane do.." daya said trying to convince Abhijeet who was looking way more frustrated to actually concentrate on him so was just pacing aside.
But in that moment the officer who was totally quiet but then whispered in a low voice. "Sorry sir.."
As he said that, the lowering anger of Abhijeet came back again. As daya shook his head and walked away in a helpless mood. He knew that his friend was totally pissed now, and whatever the officer said now, it wasn't going to help.
"Sorry..(pressing his teeth)yeh sorry se kisiki jaan wapas nahi aati hai..(again raising his voice)agar Cid me rehna hai toh aapne se aage dekhna seekho..(pointing at the team)hum logo ki ek galati aur sab kuch khatam ho sakta hai..sab kuch.." Abhijeet spoke it all in a go as the officer just kept looking down..others were silent as they were too understanding the gravity of this situation. Daya was just silent all the time as he just stood aside away from them silently gazing at Abhijeet.
"Uss mangu ki Baat ho ya kisi bhi insaan ki..ek pal nahi lagega unhe hume bhun dene me..(pausing)aaj tak ek case jeeta nahi hai koi uske khilaf..(grabbing the file on the table)yeh..yeh files padho..aur samzo iss baat ki gehrai ko.."
Daya who was silently standing away was just looking aside. When suddenly his gaze went towards the door where he saw someone, and it was no one else but acp sir himself with DIG sir. And he realised that no one had realised his presence but him. As he saw both acp sir and dig sir gaze on Abhijeet. Who was just continuing whatever he said.
"tension mat lijiye…(immitating what he said harshly)jan ki keemat samazti bhi hai tumhe..ye jo overconfidence hai na apne andar yeh kaam karo..nahi toh ek din tum khud apne haathon se sabki maut ko niyota dedoge.." as Abhijeet said that in a very low tone. But his face was still plastered with anger and frustration. As he paused, Daya came forward towards him in a hurry as he didn't want him to speak more like this in front of acp sir or DIG sir to be specific.
"Abhijeet…" he called in a serious voice, but Abhijeet's gaze was focused on the officer so he instantly spoke ahead. "ACP sir.."
As he said that, everyone got alert And gazed at the door. While Abhijeet just looked up at acp sir, his expressions were still the same anger was evident all over his face. He saw acp and dig sir staring at him, so he just averted his gaze. Seeing which acp sir gazed up at daya who just ignored his gaze too.
Confusion was evident on dig and acp sirs face, but there was also a sense of what-the-hell-are-you-doing expressions on their faces. Everyone very well sensed that, but none of the junior officers were able to say anything, as they were just coming of the session they just had with abhijeets anger, not something they ever faced daily.
Finally seeing the silence between them sachin and others wished them. "Good afternoon sir.."
ACP sir heard them wish, but just stared at the duo for a moment trying to gauge what was happening and why everything was so stressed. But all he got was silence from the team and ignored gazes by the duo. So he Just gave a small nod to all and left to the cabin with dig sir. While dig sir who was staring only at the duo paused there for a second giving them a passive gaze and then gazed at the new officer, who was looking visibly shaken. After gazing at him for a moment dig sir just left without saying anything. DIG sir gaze made daya question as to how much time were they both standing there and how much did they hear? As no matter how much they heard, it was sure that they heard something which wasn't good at all. Daya himself was aware that abhijeet's reaction was indeed too much for the mistake, and it was clear. He just hoped that it didn't create a more ruckus than what it already had.
Soon rajat turned towards all and just announced. "Sablog lunch karlo.." Daya silently thanked him for doing that, as it just helped him dissipate the stressed environment in the bureau.
Finally as everyone of the team left, daya's gaze fell on Abhijeet who was just standing leaning on the table. His expressions still the same, and gaze tensed. So he came near him and added in a soft voice.
"Abhijeet.."
"Please..(in an irritated voice)tum ab shuru mat karo.." Abhijeet spoke as he gazed aside saying that..
To which daya controlling his own reaction spoke. "Mai kuch shuru nahi kar raha hun…(gazing at the cabin and then at Abhijeet)tum ye itna gussa kyu kar rahe ho..sab pe..un logo ki kya galti hai.."
Abhijeet, pressing his eyes shut, spoke again in irritation. "Kya ab kisi ko uski galti par kuch bolne se bhi issues hai tumhe?"
Daya sighing added in a comforting voice "Nahi yaar..(clarifying)mai aisa nahi keh Raha hun..but just look at you..(gazing at him)itna gussa jo nikala hai tumne..tum khud jante jo wo uss galati ke liye nahi tha..tumhe kya lagta hai muze nahi dikh raha ke tum uss raat ke unke tumhare peeth peeche wo sab bolne ki wajah se react kar rahe ho?" As he said that daya earned himself the angry stare by abhijeet who stood up straight and added on anger.
"Kya..kya chahte kya ho tum han?(gazing at him)haathon ki kathputli banana chahte ho mujhe?" Daya was in Disbelief and shocked.
"What?pagal ho gaye jo tum Abhijeet?Itna gussa aa raha hai tumhe samajh bhi nahi raha hai tumhe kya keh rahe ho tum..(pausing and adding in frustration)mai kyu tumhe control karne ko chahunga?"
Abhijeet then pressed his mouth in a straight face and added in a louder voice. "Toh aur chal kya raha hai?(glaring at him)tumne kaha kam nahi karte...ye dekho..(showing him files in hand as daya just shook his head)tumne kaha lead karo..kar raja hun..tumne kaha bureau me raho..(in anger)dekho samne khada hun yahan bureau me subeh se…(in anger again added in loud tone)dikh raha hun tumhe?" The tone of Abhijeet was loud enough to attract the attention of acp sir who was silently witnessing this conversation from his cabin. Daya saw that and was just frustrated now with his anger. So added.
"Abhijeet(in whisper)awaz neeche karo..(gazing at the cabin)har cheez ka bakheeda khada karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.." daya said as he pressed his hand on his forehead. Abhijeet just following his gaze looked up at the cabin but then ignoring the stares of acp sir just gazed aside and went silent.
Seeing which daya just took a deep breath and spoke to him. "Just leave all this..khana khane chalo.."
"Mujhe bhook nahi hai.." Abhijeet muttered as he grabbed those files on the table harshly. And started walking towards the file room.
When daya turned to him to stop him. "What is this yaar.. bula raha hun tumhe..aur tum..kya kar rahe ho tum yeh.." now even daya felt irritated by this behaviour.
As Abhijeet just stopped and spoke. In a flat tone. "Kam(pressing on that word)kam kar raha hun…"
Saying which he left to the file room instantly. As daya just pressed his eyes shut to control his frustration which was just increasing. As he watched Abhijeet leave he felt acp sir's gaze on him, there were questions in his eyes. Questions he didn't know anything about..so just gazed at acp sir once and then left from there.
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Inside the cabin:
All this conversation even though wasn't audible, but was very much visible and observed by acp and DIG sir. Who were actually having some conversation about some case, but their attention wasn't there. After Abhijeet left, DIG sir silently gazed at acp sir who was staring outside in the bureau, his face looked lost, tense and worried at the same time.
So to grab his attention back, DIG sir spoke while gazing up from the file in his hand. "What is going on?"
As he asked that acp sir gazed at him, a little caught off-guard. Then adjusting his gaze spoke. "Nahi kuch nahi..it's fine .." the tone in which he said was itself doubtful, no wonder DIG sir spoke further.
"It's far from fine..(gazing keenly at him)even if you are seeing it..(gazing outside as the officers were now coming in after lunch)you heard what he was saying right?" DIG sir asked, as acp sir stared at him.
"Sir I am sure koi na koi reason zaroor hoga for him to be angry.." acp sir added as much as he was able to say from what he thought happened.
"I know reason hoga..(after a pause)certainly hoga..but the way he was reacting..it was way more than what I could see happening..(pausing and gazing at him)manta hun me ke wo naya officer hai..something must've been wrong. But whatever Abhijeet reacted or said felt way more about something or someone else than the new officer.." as dig sir said it, acp sir gazed at him in tension, as whatever this was between the duo or even just Abhijeet, je was equally unaware of it as dig.
"Nahi sir..I mean..maybe aisa kuch ho sakta hai. But as far as I know..aisa kuch hua nahi hai. Maybe he sab..(gazing outside) case ke pressure ki wajah se hai..already high profile cases hai so.." acp sir spoke trying to justify not just to dig sir but also somewhere to himself.
DIG sir nodded a bit and then added. "I hope it is just that(acp sir stared at him)kam ka pressure main samajh sakta hu..(putting the file in his hand on the desk)I know this month has been hectic. They've performed well..aage bhi sahi hi karenge I know..(then gazing at others who were working silently on their desks)bass..pata nahi kyu..I am not finding this right.." hearing which acp sir face tensed. As he wasn't able to understand what was wrong. Seeing which dig sir added.
"But I believe I am over analysing maybe..(gazing at him)you know them better…"giving a small smile but in return just got a tensed face of acp sir. Seeing which he asked in a serious voice.
"Baat kya hai Pradyuman.."
ACP sir stared at him for a moment but then after a pause spoke. "Sir..sach kahu toh..(taking a deep breath)mai khud nahi samaz pa raha hun ke kya ho raha hai…(pausing)it's hard to explain.."
DIG sir paused for a second, as he felt that acp sir knew that something was wrong. And that part of something was him. But dig sir didn't know exactly what they were into, to even ask. So nodded and got up..
"Take your time..I know you'll sort whatever this is..(turning to leave)just ..(gazing at acp sir)make sure that I don't regret my decision." As he said that acp sir face tensed further while DIG sir left. ACP sir heaving a sigh just leaned back, trying hard not to remember the last meeting with DIG sir.
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Author's note:
Thanks a lot vaishnavi, abhijeets fan, hrutu, jyoti, perfect abhi, abhishikha, summiya, abhinidhi, guests poojaabhidewani for your kind words!
Sorry this time detail me reply nahi desakti...but really thanks a lot! Hope you liked this update..
Take care folks! Love you all and take care!
