A/N Ssup guys! Long time no see? Hehe.
As you can see, I don't always write, but when I do, I write a lot lol. Basically, my excuse to beat up Abhijeet 'cause honestly, Aditya sir has amazing range of expressions.
Set during AKAKR. Not based on reality whatsoever, it's pure fiction.
P.S. Don't give up on it cuz its long lol. Have a good time reading!
Eversince Abhijeet had taken up this mission, his first task was to gather as much information as he could, both about the people he was outsmarting and the tricks they were using to get him on their side. So he knew the pills they were giving him were no joke. He'd gained as much knowledge as he could about their effects, symptoms, aftermath, and had quietly promised himself that he wouldn't even touch them if he could avoid it. He feigned the symptoms for the better part. It didn't take a lot since he was already suffering. He didn't quite remember the last time his migraine had died down enough to grant him a peaceful sleep, or from when exactly had the man in his dreams started asking him questions he couldn't answer. As if the memory had twisted itself according to his fears, to become his worst nightmare. Because the questions the man asked him in his dreams were the questions Abhijeet asked himself everyday.
Why'd I kill you?
Who are you?
What am I?
He'd told this to Maya today, exaggerated it to make it believable, and left out the details he'd rather not share. And when behind her mask of concern he'd seen relief and satisfaction, he knew he'd sold his story. So when she offered to drop him home, he gladly took it. His migraine was worse and he couldn't trust his vision. Driving was out of options.
He cursed his luck when she stopped the car a little farther from his home and he'd managed to look sick enough to draw her attention. She took out two tablets and a water bottle from her bag, handing them to him. He tried to excuse himself saying he would take them once he was home. But she was insistent and he realised she was testing him.
He took them from her, reluctantly returning her encouraging smile.
It's not going to be real. None of it is going to be real.
He reminded himself as he gulped down the pills.
...
He watched from behind the blinds as her car left the premises. He immediately locked the door and went upstairs to his room. He kept his revolver in the cupboard and locked it, throwing away the keys which landed probably somewhere near the foot of the bed. He didn't know, purposely didn't look. Because he could already feel the anxiety kicking in.
It's not going to be real. It's not going to be real. Not real. Not real. Not real.
He removed the lid from over the glass of water placed at his bedside table and drank it all in two huge sips, contemplating between waiting for something to happen and just popping some sleeping pills. Because if he were asleep, atleast it would all be a dream, right? He won't hallucinate. But he knew what sleep brought and he wasn't too eager on visiting the people in his dreams again so soon. Infact, if he could avoid it for an eternity, he would.
"Abhijeet?"
He spun around, eyes widening as he immediately recognised the voice that had stolen away his night's peace. He swayed on his feet as his room crumbled down and reforged into that hellish place from his blurry memories, within a matter of seconds. When he jerked his head to gain back his senses, the man was sitting infront of him, limbs bound to the chair as his accusatory gaze pierced through him.
"Tum? Lekin tum toh-"
"Mar chuka hun." The man said, nonchalant and Abhijeet swallowed. "Tumne maara mujhe, yaad hai na?"
Abhijeet didn't answer him. Instead, his eyebrows knitted in anger and faux determination laced his features. "Kaun ho tum? Aur..kyun mara tha maine tumhe?" He hesitated, the second question sounding weird to his own ears.
The man tilted his head, puzzled. "Tumne ek begunah ki jaan li aur tumhe yeh bhi nahi pata ki tumne use kyun mara?"
No he didn't. He didn't remember why. But he hoped, he hoped with every ounce of his being that it was a reason good enough to absolve him from the guilt of killing an innocent man.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Mai tumhe maarna nahi chahta tha." He hoped not. Why would he? "Mai toh tumhe janta tak nahi."
The man narrowed his eyes at him, "Ab nahi jaante. Lekin pehle toh jaante the na? Kyun mara tumne mujhe, Abhijeet? Aakhir kya bigada tha maine tumhara?"
Abhijeet pressed his mouth shut, slightly shaking his head before turning away.
This wasn't real. He knew it wasn't real. That man had died, Abhijeet had killed him, himself. He couldn't be real.
Then why does it affect you so much?
"Agar mai sirf tumhara vehem hun toh phir tum itne dar kyun rahe ho?" Abhijeet's head snapped up as suddenly the man was standing right before him. He looked behind and the chair was gone, the place was gone. He was back in his room, again.
The man slowly started advancing on him and Abhijeet instinctively reached for his gun, before remembering he had already put it away. His gaze quickly moved between the locked cupboard and the man, who frowned. "Mujhe ekbaar markar tumhara dil nahi bhara ke tum phirse apni pistol dhund rahe ho?"
"Exactly", Abhijeet whispered, mostly to himself, "tum mar chuke ho. Tumhe yahan nahi hona chahiye"
Not real.
""Lekin phir bhi mai tumhare saamne khada hun." He halted his steps and so did Abhijeet. "Kya ACP sahab ko yeh malum hai? Kya tumhari team ko? Kya voh log ek mujrim ko CID mein kaam karne denge? Tumne ab tak unse yeh sab chupae kyun rakha hai?"
None of it is.
Abhijeet's face scrunched up in anger, trying and failing to hide his fear. "Mai CID jaldihi chhodne vala hun."
"Jhoot bolke." The man smirked as Abhijeet's expressions faltered. "Kyunki tumhe dar lagta hai ki agar tumhare saathiyon ko pata chala ki tumne mere saath kya kiya hai, toh voh najane kaise react karenge."
Abhijeet bared his teeth, speaking through a barely controlled rage. "Mujhe usse koi farak nahi padta."
"Tumhe dar hai ki voh log tumse nafrat karne lagenge," the man ignored his words and began walking towards him, making Abhijeet step backwards, "tumse voh sawal puchenge jinka tumahare paas koi jawab nahi hoga. Aakhir kyun mara tumne mujhe, Abhijeet? Kisliye?" His smirk grew, but his tone was dipped in anger, hatred and disgust. "Tum ek khooni ho, Abhijeet. Aur ek khooni ko CID mein rehne ka koi haq nahi hai."
Abhijeet was shocked to hear the man repeat his own words. He gripped the corner of the study table to stabilize himself, putting all his weight on his arms.
"Kya tumne socha ki mera bhi koi parivaar hoga? Tumhe jo zindagi jine ka dusra mauka mila voh mauka mujhe bhi milna chahiye tha?" His smirk was gone now, replaced with an expression that was both wistful and accusing. "Mere saath jo bhi hua uske zimmedar sirf tum ho. My blood is on your hands. You killed me! Aur tum isse yeh kehkar bhag nahi sakte ki tumhe kuch yaad hi nahi hai. Even if you don't remember it, you did it! It was you who killed me."
"I'm sorry," Abhijeet blurted out before he could stop himself, "I'm so sorry" his grip tightened over the wooden table as he lowered his head, brows knitted tightly while tears blurred his vision.
"Kyun?"
I don't know!
"Kyun mara tumne mujhe?"
Mujhe nahi pata!
Go away! Go away! Leave me alone!
"Mai itni asani se nahi jaane waale. Tumhe mere sawalon ka jawab dena hi padega."
"Mujhe nahi pata!" He shouted, a single tear sliding down his cheek. "Mujhe kuch yaad nahi hai! Mai tumhare baremein kuch nahi jaanta!"
The man looked at him in anger. "Maine tumse abhi kaha na? Ki yeh bahana kafi nahi hai?"
Abhijeet felt his knuckles hurt from the pressure he was applying on the table. "Please" he closed his eyes, tired, "please jao tum yahanse."
He wasn't making up any excuses, he had accepted what he'd done. But what was he supposed to do if he couldn't remember why he'd done it or how he'd gotten away with it? He asked himself those questions everyday, yet he found answers for neither. He wasn't running away. He had been carrying a similar burden from a long time and this man's murder added to it. His guilt had grown too huge to neglect.
"Tumne iski bhi jaan leli, Abhijeet?"
His body jolted when he heard that voice. He opened his eyes and she stood there, with her warm smile and tired eyes. Yet somehow, it didn't feel right. Abhijeet knew it, he knew it-
She's dead, you idiot.
But she's here-
She's dead!
He ignored the voices in his head. He knew it shouldn't be like this, but he wanted to believe it. It just felt so real. He needed her, he needed her.
"M..maa?" He choked on his words, overwhelmed with emotions. He could practically hear his heart thumping loudly in his chest.
She walked closer and placed a hand on his cheek. For a moment, he was too scared to even breathe, afraid that the image would fade away. But his cheek felt warm and her touch was solid. Within seconds he had run through a hundred 'what ifs', then cautiously leaned into her palm. "Maa." He sucked in a sharp breath.
She smiled. "Agar pehle hi iss name se pukar liya hota toh shayad aaj mai tumhare saath hoti. Lekin ab toh bahot der ho chuki hai."
His lips parted, slowly, brows furrowing in confusion.
This doesn't feel right.
She would never say that.
"Aap..yeh kya-"
"Mai vahi keh rahi hun jo tum soch rahe ho, Abhijeet." She chuckled and Abhijeet leaned away from her, his gut instincts screaming at him to run.
Her hand still hung in the air. "Mai pagal thi joh sochti thi tum theek ho jaoge. Mujhe tumse koi umeed lagani hi nahi chahiye thi."
"Ma-"
"Tumhari zidd ki wajah se", her gaze hardened and the words died on his tongue. "sirf tumhari zidd ki wajah se aaj mai iss duniya mein nahi hun."
No. He shook his head desperately. I'm sorry.
"Abhijeet," her voice wavered as she grimaced, "kya hojata agar tum bas ek bar mujhe 'maa' kehke pukarte toh?"
It just doesn't feel right.
He slowly inched away from her, wanting to apologise, wanting to make this right but it was as if his mind had run out of words.
Not real. Not here, not real!
When her cold glare landed on him yet again, he saw hatred. Absolute hatred and disgust, making him freeze at his place.
Not real. Not-
You don't know that.
She's dead!
But she's here!
He bit his lip to stop himself from crying.
Don't hate me. I'm sorry. Please don't hate me.
"Mujhe tumse nafrat hai, Abhijeet."
His eyes widened. No..How did she-
"Afsos ki tum meri hi aulad ho. Mujhe mere hi bete ne dhoka dediya."
He shook his head, "M..maine..nahi-"
Stop it!
His leg hit something and his back crashed against the wall. He immediately clawed at it, pressing his palms against the wall to haul himself upwards. If he thought his heart was beating loudly before, it was now pounding against his chest. He looked around frantically but there was no room to move.
She was slowly walking towards him and he suddenly felt trapped. He wanted to scream at her to stay away, but all that came out of his mouth were some unintelligible words that made no sense to anyone, making him cringe at his own cowardice.
He wanted to run. There was a short distance between the wall supporting him and the door. He was considering it, but his head was throbbing so badly that even that short distance felt miles long.
When she tried to touch his hair, her lips twisted into a terrifying smile too foreign on her features. He felt cold horror crawl up his spine and he finally screamed at her to stay away, cringing again when that scream resurfaced some memories he'd purposely buried down deep. And when she retracted her hand, her eyes drooping low, guilt gripped his heart all over again.
His gaze followed her as she turned away. He barely even noticed that his room wasn't there anymore. It had taken the form of his old house. Her home!
"Maa nahi, maa please rukiye. Mujhe vaise nahi kehna tha." He shouted behind her. "Maa please, please rukiye. Mujhe wapis akela chhodkar mat jaiye. I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" He tried to run behind her but his hands wouldn't move from where they were chained against the wall. She was disappearing into the shadows while he cried, pleaded for her to stop, to come back. He kicked at the wall, fought against the chains to break free, screaming her name as she dissolved into the shadows.
And then it hit him.
His hands were chained!
Pushing down the anxiety spiralling through him, he slowly craned his neck to look at his wrists, trying to get his breaths under control.
He struggled against the chains, twisting and turning to free his wrists. Around him, the darkness only grew.
Something's wrong, he thought
Everything is! His mind screamed.
It shouldn't be dark so soon. It hadn't even been noon when Maya had dropped him.
Distantly, he could hear footsteps, multiple of them, making him stop his futile efforts of freeing himself. He held his breath as they drew closer.
He watched as some strange men emerged from the shadows, the light from the balcony falling over their feet.
Abhijeet narrowed his eyes in efforts to see their faces but it was too dark.
Though he must know them, right? After all, they were images of his own mind.
Her touch was too solid for an image.
You're not in your right mind.
He scoffed. I never am.
The men circled around him, their faces strangely hidden in the dark and the rest of their bodies..foggy. Yeah, Abhijeet decided to go with foggy.
He waited for them to say something, waited a long time until the haze over his mind began fading and bit by bit, then all at once, all his thoughts came crashing together. If he were in a better place, he would've been analytical, separating each thought and pondering over the possibilities, able to reach at a logical conclusion. One that didn't make him want to rip out his own shoulders from their sockets (he unconsciously pulled at the chains) and grab those men by their throat and force them to show their face.
The pain behind his eyes was intensifying by each passing second, like a hundred needles poking from the inside. So he thanked God when finally one of them spoke. "Apne dimag par itna zor dene ki zarurat nahi hai. Tum jaante ho hum kaun hai. Ab joh aaj tumhara haal hai, humari hi toh badaulat hai."
Abhijeet's entire body went rigid at once. This couldn't be happening.
"Tumne toh hume saza dene ki thaan li thi na?" Someone else spoke. Abhijeet couldn't see his face but he could easily hear the mock in his tone. "Phir kya hua? Achi lagne laggai kya? Ek zindagi bina yaadon ki?"
Before Abhijeet could silence their laughs with a biting remark or something along those lines, he heard their voices coming closer. Strange, because they never moved! He could see them standing right where they were, atleast seven feet away from him but their harsh voices were ringing right in his ears, as if they were standing just beside him.
"Tumne kabhi socha hai ki humne tumhe hi ki kyun maar kar marne keliye chhod diya tha?"
Too loud.
"Tumhare colleagues ko toh tumhare koi bhi dushman nahi mile jinpe shak kiya jaa sake. Naa hi koi saboot. Nahi toh hum abtak pakde jaate, hai na?"
Too fast.
"Lekin unhone ek possibility toh dekhi hi nahi.." Abhijeet could feel the man hovering right above him, but when he looked up, he was only met by absolute darkness. There was not a single trace of light in the room anymore. "Kahi police mein bharti hone se pehle tum humare saath hi toh kaam nahi karte the?"
He tried to move away, when he felt a pressure on his shoulder - a hand pushing him down, grounding him at his place so he couldn't move. "Daya ne bhi yahi kaha tha..yaad toh hai na tumhe?"
"Shut up." Abhijeet hissed.
"Heh. Tumhare bolne se hum chup nahi hone waale. After all, hum vahi sab bol rahe hai jo tum din raat sochte rehte ho." A wide, uncanny white smile shone through absolute darkness. "Shayad tumhe Daya se koi shikayat nahi. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki tum uski kahi hui baaton ko bhul chuke ho. Uh-huh."
Abhijeet sneered, beads of sweat re-appearing on his forehead. "Agar tumhe mujhe darana hai toh koi aur paitra aazmao. Yeh kaam nahi aane wala."
Multiple white smiles. Too bright for his eyes.
"Agar tumhe khudpar yakin hota toh tum uss waqt apna istifa nahi dete." One of them whispered.
"Aur agar tumhe hi khudpar yakin nahi toh fir Daya se kya umeed rakhi jae?" Another rasped.
Abhijeet clenched his fists. He tried to shake off the hand holding him in place but goddammit, it just wouldn't budge!
"Uss aadmi ko kisne maara, Abhijeet?" A different voice. "Tumhare akele ka kaam toh nahi hoga." The shadow laughed, and a shiver ran down Abhijeet's spine. "Dushman nahi, Abhijeet. Humesha dushmani hi ho yeh zaruri toh nahi." The pressure lifted and Abhijeet staggered, growling low in his throat as he steadied himself.
But that wasn't the end of it. Someone had grabbed his jaw in a bruising grip. "Toh phir kya saathidaar?" Abhijeet instantly stopped struggling against the person's grip, his arms going limp, pupils expanding. "Nahi matlab, kise pata? Tumhe toh kuch yaad hi nahi na..Humari wajah se." The man paused. "Ek sochi samjhi sajish? Kyunki agar tumhari yaadasht hi na ho, toh police ke paas humare khilaf koi saboot hi nahi hota. Hosakta hai issiliye humne tumhe uss gaadi ki diki mein marne keliye chhod diya. Nahi?"
Abhijeet gasped for air. He violently pushed the man away as he panted for breath, taking support of the wall as he slid down to the floor. But their voices didn't quieten. Their words slurred, hushed, as he brought his palms to his ears, curling in on himself as he hid his head in his lap, desperately trying to block out their words.
But it could be true. Whatever they were saying, he'd thought about it, had nursed the doubt from the day Daya had accidentally planted it in his mind.
"Abhijeet jab tum hume mile the, pandrah saal pehle. Tab tum hosh mein nahi the. Bahot mara tha unn gundon ne tumhe. Toh hosakta hai unn gundon ka aur tumhara aapas mein koi samband ho?"
He clenched his eyes shut as the memory came back, pressing his head harder. It was a moment's speculation on Daya's part, his attempt at understanding what could've happened 15 years ago, probably even forgotten by now. It was wrong of Abhijeet to still harbour the doubt so many months past the incidence.
He shouldn't have doubted you in the first place.
Abhijeet slammed his elbow into the wall. This was wrong, so wrong. It wasn't Daya's fault. He loved Purvi. And it wasn't just Purvi. It was her entire family pointing their finger at Abhijeet. How could have Daya ignored them all? Especially when Abhijeet had absolutely nothing in his defense.
And anyways, Abhijeet thought in rue, Daya had already made up for it.
And how exactly had that happened, again?
He'd left Purvi.
And whose fault was it?
He groaned, gripping his hair in a tight fist.
A laugh echoed from the far end of the room, shifting closer as it gradually died down. He stiffened feeling warm breaths over his hand.
"Bolo Abhijeet, uska zimmedar kaun tha?" The person hissed in his ear.
All the faceless smiles widened, then started to laugh, and something in Abhijeet finally snapped. He snarled as he tackled the man who had hissed in his ear to the ground. He threw a punch aimlessly, the darkness blinding his vision, then yanked him forward and grabbed him by throat.
"Kaun ho tum haa?" He rasped out. "Kyun mere piche pade ho?"
The man pushed him. Bending his fingers backwards and off of himself, he grabbed Abhijeet's throat instead and slammed him on the floor. Abhijeet saw stars for a moment. He closed his eyes and jerked his head to regain his senses.
When he opened his eyes, he was dumbfounded at the face that grinned at him.
M..me?
The fake Abhijeet (an image? his counterpart? who?) tilted his head and sent him an amazed look.
And laughed. Laughed in that maniacal way Abhijeet could never forget. All of a sudden, Abhijeet felt the world around him disappear, his stunned gaze fixed solely on his doppelgangers' face.
"Ro..Rocky." He wheezed.
Abruptly, Rocky let him go and stood up, spreading his arms as he bowed his head. "The one and only. Or..maybe two and only." He made a face as Abhijeet coughed on the floor, then knelt on one knee, watching him with fake pity. "Tch tch. Yeh kya halat bana rakhi hai tumne apni."
Abhijeet craned his neck to look at him. "Damn..you."
A huge smile appeared on Rocky's face, eyes twinkling with mirth. "Gah. Why, thank you. You did damn me, per se, didn't you?"
Abhijeet stood up on wobbly feet, involuntarily touching his neck. "You almost got us all killed!" He spat.
Rocky shrugged. "Almost is the key word here, my.." he paused, looking intently at Abhijeet, pretending to be in deep thoughts, "kya bulao tumhe mai?" He asked in confusion before his face lit up, "Meri parchai?" He tapped his chin and nodded. "Yep. Meri parchai!"
There was a mad glint in his eyes that made Abhijeet want to just shoot him again. God! This guy made his blood boil!
"Vaise bacha liya tumne Daya ko." Rocky frowned. "Mujhe laga tha ki uske bachneka toh koi chance hi nahi hai."
Abhijeet's eyes flashed. "Koshish toh puri ki thi tumne." His voice was dipped in sarcasm.
"Haan bas ek galti ho gai," said Rocky, shaking his head and pointing at Abhijeet, "tumhe zinda chhod diya. Tumhe maar diya hota toh CID wale bewakoofon ki tarah Daya ko hi mujrim samaj lete. Bhai wah, kya acting ki thi maine! Hein? Tumhe kya lagta hai?" He saw Abhijeet's hateful gaze on him and grinned. "Are atleast maine tujhe zinda toh chhoda. Tum toh mujhse bhi battar ho yaar. Uss aadmi ko khursi se band kar maar diya, hain? Tch tch." He shook his head laughing.
Abhijeet lunged at Rocky before he even realised it. Rocky side-stepped easily. He swung his fist and socked Abhijeet on the jaw. Abhijeet recovered from the hit and tried to go at Rocky again. To his surprise, Rocky had pulled out his gun and was pointing it at Abhijeet's head. "Hey now, itna violent hone ki bhi koi zarurat nahi hai." Rocky frowned. "Mai toh tumse sirf baat kar raha tha na? Ek civilized insaan ki tarah. Yeh achanak hathapai pe kyun utar aae tum?"
"Rocky." Abhijeet gritted his teeth. He stepped forward making Rocky press the gun against his forehead.
A familiar hand pulled Abhijeet back and stood between him and the gun like a tall wall. "Yeh ho kya raha hai yaha par, Abhijeet?"
Abhijeet looked at him in surprise. "Daya tum..tum yahan kaise?"
Rocky rubbed his temple with his gun and walked farther, leaning against the closet as he peered at both of them. "Aur kisliye. Tumhe bachane keliye hi aya hoga. Uss waqt bhi yahi aya tha. Aur aaj bhi." He looked at Abhijeet, puzzled. "Yaar akhir tumhe itna bachana kyun padhta hai?"
"Just shut up." Abhijeet threatened him before turning towards Daya. "Daya tumhe yahan nahi aana chahiye tha."
Daya looked at him through the corner of his eye. "Tumhi ne mujhe bulaya tha Abhijeet."
Abhijeet's forehead creased. "Maine? Maine kab-"
"Jabse mai yahan aya hun," Rocky said, walking towards Abhijeet, "tabse tum isike baremein soch rahe ho, hai na?"
Abhijeet gave him a burning glare, Rocky returned it with another pleased smile.
"Tumne use bacha liya tha, Abhijeet." His face darkened, his smile turning creepy. "Aur mujhe goli maar di thi." His gaze flickered towards Daya, making Abhijeet's stomach twist with fierce protectiveness.
He stepped forward and blocked Daya from Rocky's sight, forcing Rocky to look at him. "Tumhe goli maine maari thi na? Aur tumhara plan bhi meri wajah se-"
He heard Daya click his tongue behind him. "Abhijeet tum yeh kya-"
He harshly shushed him. "Mai baat kar raha hun na?" He turned to Rocky. "Tum. Tumhara gussa mujhpe hai. Tum iss baat ki saza Daya ko nahi de sakte."
Daya spoke once again, seemingly angry. "Abhijeet hum do hai aur vo ek. Tum keh kya raho ho? Kya ho kya gaya hai tumhe?"
Abhijeet pressed his lips tightly into a thin line. (To keep you safe. Not again. Never again). He ignored Daya as he kept his gaze trained on Rocky.
Whose fault, Abhijeet?
Shut up.
Rocky smirked at him, making it known that he knew exactly what Abhijeet was thinking. A tremor of dread slid through Abhijeet.
Rocky was playfully spinning the gun in his hand. "Hey, Abhijeet." He stretched his arm straight, aiming the gun at Abhijeet. "Tumse kisne kaha ki mai tumhari galti ki saza Daya ko de raha hun?"
Relief flooded through Abhijeet. His face steeled with determination.
"Nahi Rocky." Daya took out his gun and pointed it at him. "Apni gun niche Karo. Warna-"
No fear, no second thoughts. Rocky only wore his usual amused smile, as if Daya were some child holding a toy gun, asking him to raise his hands up. "Ek mare hue aadmi ko gun dikha kar nahi darate, Daya." He looked at Abhijeet. "Aur jise maut se dar nahi lagta use bhi gun dikhakar koi fayda nahi." He tilted his head, calm replacing the mad grin on his face, sending alarm bells ringing in Abhijeet's head. "Mai tumhe hi saza de raha hun Abhijeet, Daya ko nahi."
Before Abhijeet could register his words, Rocky had shot the bullet. He heard the shocked gasp that escaped Daya's mouth and whirled around in disbelief. No.
Daya glanced down at the bloodied spot on his chest and touched it. He then looked at Abhijeet, mirroring his expressions, before the light in his eyes snuffed out and he collapsed on his knees.
They heard gunshots from behind the curtains, watching Daya walk out with his back towards them. The entire team shared relieved glances. Until Daya turned around and they saw the blood marring his shirt. Daya touched his chest before looking at them in disbelief, his eyes fluttering close as his knees gave out. Rocky emerged from behind while Daya fell, laughing and taunting them. The team members rushed to help Daya, while Abhijeet shot Rocky, straight through the heart.
No. Not again.
He took a shaky step forward. When reality finally set in, he dashed towards Daya. "Da--Daya", he stammered, panicking, "a..aankhein mat band karne. Daya!" He patted his cheeks to keep him awake, but he could tell Daya was sinking fast. "Doctor--doctor ko mai--" his eyes moved around frenetically, in search of his mobile phone.
"Voh nahi bachega." Rocky said.
Abhijeet threw him a look of contempt. He searched through his pockets for his phone, then ran to check the drawers.
"Abhijeet." He jumped out of his skin, not realising when had Rocky gotten close enough to grab his arm. "Voh nahi bachega."
Abhijeet stared at him like a scared, confused child. "Huh?" He uttered at the grim certainty on Rocky's face, which soon morphed into a wry smile. "Uss din mere nishane chuk gae the. Par tumhara nahi. Sidha dil mein goli maari thi na tumne mujhe?" Rocky shrugged, bobbing his head in Daya's direction. "Aaj mera nishana nahi chukega."
A gurgling sound shifted their attention to Daya.
Abhijeet watched in horror as blood trickled down the corner of Daya's mouth. He gave Rocky a hard shove and was beside Daya in a flash. "Daya, Daya nahi." He carefully rolled Daya onto his right side, trying to get out any blood in his mouth with his fingers to clear his airways. "Stay with me. Stay with me." He was again looking around for his phone when Rocky knelt infront of him and Daya.
"Abhijeet." The mad grin was back on his face, but his voice was flat. "Maine kaha he's not going to survive."
Abhijeet leapt at him to push him away from Daya, aiming for his neck. But before he could reach him, Rocky had shot Daya, again. Daya's hot blood splattered on Abhijeet's arm and face, making him freeze at his place.
Silence followed the gun shot, broken by Rocky who began laughing.
Abhijeet turned his head in jerky movements to look at Daya, checking for even the slightest rise and fall of his chest, but there was none. With shaky hands he took Daya's wrist in his fingers, hope dissipating when he found no pulse.
A few tears slid down his cheeks, out of shock and grief, mingling with the blood on his face. He left Daya's wrist as his hands hovered over Daya's face, too scared to touch. He kept glancing back and forth between Daya's bloodied chest and his lifeless face.
"Finally!" Rocky sang, jolly. "Daya toh gaya." He wiggled his eyebrows at Abhijeet. "Hey! Nice rhyme right?" He excitedly pointed at Abhijeet, "Maine uss din bhi yahi kaha tha, yaad hai?" He frowned. "Lekin shayad tumhe pasand nahi aai thi. Tumne toh yaar mujhe sidha goli hi maardi thi" He complained childishly, rubbing the gun against his forehead.
Abhijeet's bloodshot eyes turned to him. Rocky raised his hands in air, blinking his eyes playfully. "Oof, kahi phirse hi na maar do."
Phirse hi-
"Hey Abhijeet." Rocky inclined his head. He beamed at Abhijeet, as if he were the picture of innocence and purity. "Batao na, yeh sab kiski galti thi?"
They were in the hospital waiting for the doctor who was attending Daya. Abhijeet shuddered remembering the gunshot and Daya's condition as they drove him to the hospital. He watched the OT door with wet eyes. "Yeh sab meri galti hai. Na Daya mujhe bachane ata, na uski jaan khatre mein padhti."
"Aisa mat boliye, sir." Freddy's caring heart spoke. "Daya sir toh aapke liye-"
"Aisa mat-"
"Sir--"
"Ais-"
Whose fault, Abhijeet?
No. Abhijeet jerked his head. Daya wouldn't want him to think like that.
"Daya sir toh aapke liye-"
What, Freddy, Daya sir toh aapke liye kya? What had you said?
Abhijeet forced himself to look at Daya. Please wake up, wake up and tell me what you'd do for me. Yell at me that it wasn't my fault. Scold me for my brooding. God! Blame me for all I care but please open your eyes. C'mon! I beg you. Please, just wake up.
Abhijeet clutched his stomach as he burst out into tears, leaning forward and forward till his head hit the floor.
The door clicked behind him and Abhijeet heard familiar footsteps walking closer.
"Abhijeet..?" God, no. How-
His head snapped up and he found Daya's worried eyes observing him from head to toe. "Yeh kya haal bana rakha hai? Theek toh ho tum?"
Abhijeet thought he was on the verge of fainting. He quickly looked down to find Daya's body missing. His senses addled, his eyes darted around the room but Rocky was nowhere to be seen. "Rocky kahan.." He swallowed the thick bile rising in his throat.
Daya frowned. "Rocky? Voh vala Rocky? Use mare toh zamana bit gaya. Aaj voh kaise yaad agaya tumhe?"
Abhijeet took a shaky breath. He knew he was freaking out. His shirt was sticking to his body, wet with his sweat. He swept a hand across his cheek and saw that there was no blood on his hands, neither on the floor.
Not...real?
"Abhijeet." Daya called and he looked at him with a jerk. "Kyaa?" Daya asked.
Abhijeet looked around once again, bracing himself against the floor with one hand, bringing the back of another to his mouth.
He watched as Daya sat down beside him. Abhijeet hesitated before touching his shoulder. He prayed to all the gods he knew when he did so and Daya didn't disappear.
Daya glanced at the hand touching his shoulder and threw Abhijeet a questioning look. Abhijeet shook his head. He was about to answer when his eyes fell on the man near the balcony, the one he'd seen himself kill in his dreams (memories, the voice in his head reminded him).
Abhijeet immediately pulled his hand off of Daya, gaze flickering between the two of them.
Daya's confusion only grew while a sardonic smile appeared on the other man's face.
Daya looked in the direction Abhijeet was looking and frowned. "Kise dekh rahe ho, boss? Vahan toh koi bhi nahi hai."
Abhijeet's forehead creased. "Tumhe..tumhe voh dikh nahi raha?"
"Kaun dikh nahi raha? Kiski baat kar rahe ho tum?"
"V-voh aadmi vahan." Abhijeet pointed at the balcony door. "Vahan. Tumhe dikh nahi raha?"
Daya clicked his tongue, irritated. "Pehle Rocky, aur ab najane kis posheede aadmi ki baat kar rahe ho tum. Koi nahi hai vahanpe, Abhijeet."
Abhijeet opened his mouth to protest when the man spoke, "Rocky mar chuka tha Abhijeet. Aur mai bhi."
"Mujhe malum hai." Abhijeet snapped. He stopped to think when the man raised his eyebrow knowingly.
Dead-- Rocky and this man both were dead but..he could..he had felt--
Abhijeet turned towards Daya, desperate with hope. "Daya, Rocky tha abhi yahanpe. Usne tumpar goli bhi chalai thi. Voh tha yahanpe." He was vaguely aware of how miserable he sounded, pleading Daya to believe him.
Daya's expressions didn't change. "Yeh kaise ho sakta hai Abhijeet? Rocky ko mare hue to ek saal se bhi zyada bit chuka hai."
Abhijeet thumbed his head, "Mai jaanta hun, mai jaanta hun. Lekin voh yahanpe tha, Daya. Meri baat ka yakin karo." He pointed at himself. "Maine use chhua bhi tha. Agar voh sirf mera vehem hota toh mai kaise-"
Daya jerked his head, "Tumhari dimaagi halat theek nahi hai Abhijeet. Isliye sir ne tumse aaram karne ko kaha tha. Magar tum maante hi nahi."
Abhijeet stared at him in disbelief. "Daya tum yeh kya-"
The man near the balcony chuckled in a low tone.
Abhijeet glared at him, but he was so tired. He just wanted this to be over. This continuous high, the overwhelming pain in his head and his constant state of confusion - he just wanted it all to be over.
"Vahan kya dekh rahe ho, mai idhar hun!" Daya roared in anger, making Abhijeet flinch.
If this Daya couldn't see that man, did that mean the Daya who had died was his imagination? So Rocky really never was here. It was in his mind. Rocky wasn't real, neither was that man, nor the Daya who had died, only this D-
"Abhijeet!" Daya harshly shook him by his shoulders. "Sun bhi rahe ho mai kya keh raha hun?" Daya's eyes were wild. Abhijeet couldn't recall when he had seen him so angry before. "Tang aagaya hun mai tumse." He pushed Abhijeet after gaining his attention. "Tumhare bahanon se. Humesha tumhare mun pe tala laga rehta hai. Kabhi koi baat batadiya karo toh najane kya ho jaega. Agar vishwas nahi tha toh dosti kyun ki?"
Abhijeet scooted away, shaking his head. "Daya tum meri baat ka galat matlab-"
"Purvi ke time bhi tumne yahi kiya tha." Daya continued, ignoring him. "Bina kuch batae bas resign karke chale gae the. Itna bhi kya kaha tha maine? Bas ek sawal hi toh pucha tha. Tumhe khudko bhi toh apne aap par yakin nahi tha. Toh mai kaise kar leta."
Abhijeet was perplexed. He had thought over it, and yet hearing it come from Daya's mouth hurt worse.
"Maine Purvi se sach hi kaha tha." Daya said in a tone that made Àbhijeet's stomach churn. "Tum meri zindagi mein naa hi aate toh acha hota. Tumhari wajah se maine Purvi ko bhi kho diya. Tum jaise insaan keliye, joh humesha sirf apne baaremein sochta hai, maine Purvi ko jaane diya."
Abhijeet's chest tightened, he clamped his mouth shut, refusing to acknowledge Daya's words.
"Kya abbhi tum Daya ko mere baremein bata paoge, Abhijeet?" The man by the glass door spoke.
Don't look. Ignore him.
"Aur itna sab honeke baad bhi," said Daya, "unn gundon ka toh kuch pata chala hi nahi. Sochne ki baat toh yeh hai ki," he threw Abhijeet a scornful look, "tumne kabhi puri tarese baat ko tala hi nahi. Shayad ACP sir ko tumhe CID mein wapas lena hi nahi chahiye tha. Tumhari iss yadasht ki wajah se najane humare liye kitne problems khade ho jaate hai."
Abhijeet stared at him, appalled, unable to believe it was Daya who was saying all of it.
Whose fault?
"Agar maine Purvi ki baat maan li hoti, toh aaj shayad hum saath hote." He spoke, wistful. "Maine tumjaise khudgarz insaan ko apna dost mankar bahot badi galti kardi.
"Rocky bhi CID mein tumhari wajah se aya. Tumhari kamzori ki wajah se." Daya pointed at him. "Aur phir kya hua? Tumhe bachate bachate meri jaan khatremein padgai! Aur ab yeh naya natak." He scoffed. "Kaam mein dhyaan tumhara lagta nahi, aur gharpe tumhe baithna nahi. Apni zidd ki wajah se kitno ka nuksaan karoge?"
Whose fault, Abhijeet?
"Sahi keh rahe ho Daya." ACP sir stood at the doorstep. Seeing him, Abhijeet immediately got to his feet, swaying back and forth as he did so. ACP glared at him and the disappointment he saw in those eyes, unnerved Abhijeet. "Mujhe shayad Abhijeet ko CID mein lena hi nahi chahiye tha. Yeh jabbhi kabhi musibat mein padhta hai, tab apni yadasht ko ek hathiyar ki tarah istamal karta hai. Tang aagaya hun mai inn roz ke bahanon se. Waqai, Abhijeet ko CID mein wapas lakar maine bahot badi galti kardi."
Blinking rapidly, Abhijeet slowly lowered his head, numbly staring at the floor.
Mine. All of it. Me.
An arm snaked around his neck, holding him in place. Abhijeet twisted his head, momentarily paralyzed, to find Rocky sneering at him.
"Tumhe pata tha, hai na?" Rocky whispered in his ears. "Tumne ACP ko kaha tha na ki voh tumhe CID mein wapas lene se pehle soch le." Abhijeet felt constricted, the air strangling in his throat. "Toh phir iss sab mein tumhari galti kaise, huh? Tum toh pehle se hi jaante the ke tum kitne kamzor ho."
Rocky turned to look at Daya and ACP. He grinned with his eyes wide open. "Lekin mai kamzor nahi hun, Abhijeet. Mai yeh kar sakta hun. Jaante ho kyun?" Abhijeet's fingers twitched as Rocky brought his gun up, pointing straight at ACP and Daya.
"Please, Rocky." Abhijeet's soft voice cracked as he spoke, begging Rocky. "Please let them go."
Rocky gave him a cold look, face darkening as he squeezed Abhijeet's neck, slowly, painfully, till Abhijeet was choking and losing his vision. "Mai yeh kar sakta hun Abhijeet," he spoked in a hushed voice, "kyunki mujhe kisi baat ka koi farak nahi padta."
He cocked the hammer and Abhijeet's eyes widened. He had a sudden rush of blood and he bashed Rocky's nose with his head. As Rocky stumbled back, he twisted himself free from Rocky's grip and punched him right below the lungs. He snatched the gun from him and kicked him back. When Rocky came at him again, he fired the gun twice. Rocky's eyes became unfocused and he clutched at his stomach.
Abhijeet let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in.
Done. I promised..no more. No more.
Only, Rocky's features melted and molded into Daya's. His bones shifted as he morphed into Daya's taller, broader built. And the pain on his face was replaced by a look of pure shock and betrayal.
Abhijeet stared at Daya with his mouth wide open. He recoiled and fell back when Daya collapsed on the floor. His mind was racing places, when his hand hit the wooden bed. He clutched the duvet in a death grip, the gun falling from his hand and hitting the floor, eyes fixed on Daya's fallen form. Blood was pounding in his ears.
He couldn't have, he didn't-
Oh but you did. And he's gone now, because of you. Because you were too weak to stop it.
This couldn't be real. Daya couldn't have-
You killed him. Like you killed us, remember?
He whirled around, panting heavily. Three tall shadows were falling over him. His mother with her tired, disappointed face, Rocky with the usual madness swimming in his eyes and the man he didn't remember, stoic as ever.
The other two disappeared in the shadows while the unnamed man walked towards him. Abhijeet shuddered, every bone in his body screaming at him to run, but there was no room to move and God, he felt so weak.
The man's eyes trained on the gun on the floor. Abhijeet saw that and he immediately fumbled for the gun, pointing it at the man, defensively.
To his surprise, the man smiled. He knew why when Rocky's hand rested on his and before Abhijeet could do anything, elbow him in the ribs or break his nose, Rocky had pressed Abhijeet's finger that was on the trigger, shooting the man straight through the head.
No..no, no, no, no-
He pressed it again and again. The man's dead eyes penetrated through Abhijeet and horror gripped Àbhijeet's heart once again. "No..no no no-" He kept muttering incoherently. When the man fell to the floor as well, the single rod holding his mind together snapped. He shrieked, elbowing Rockey with a great force and rushing to the man. He turned him around and the sight that greeted him made his stomach lurch violently.
He clamped a hand against his mouth to stop himself to vomitting at the sight. His eyes fell on Daya's lifeless body and he began shivering, holding his head in both his hands.
What have I done? What have I done?!
He keeled over, wheezing. His entire body convulsed with each shallow breath he took, and he wrapped his fingers around his throat.
Air, he needed air.
His eyes fell on the closed glass door of the balcony straight ahead. He slapped his palms down on the floor and dragged himself up, almost crawling as he went stumbling across the room. He fumbled for the latch from where he knelt on the floor, his hands shaking worse than before. He pressed the latch down, but the door didn't open.
Locked.
His eyes widened in panic. He began hitting the glass door with his fists. When even that didn't work, he bashed his arm against the door. He suddenly heard voices in the distance calling his name. He glanced back at the bedroom door in fear and his efforts increased.
Calling his name, getting closer, they were coming for him.
In his hopeless, desperate attempts, he began banging his head against the glass and yet it refused to break.
Abhijeet? Abhijeet? Abhijeet!
He growled, feral, palming his ears.
That's when he remembered there was another window right across the room.
He spun around, staggering to his feet, almost face-planting to the floor as he got up. But his lungs were burning from the lack of air. Some tears of frustration fell from his eyes and he hunched over, tightly squeezing his waist while his vision tunneled.
Suddenly, someone grasped his ankle. He instinctively kicked back, though the hold didn't loosen. He looked down and retched at the tattered, distorted lump of human flesh and skull that stared at him.
He faltered, kicking violently at the hand gripping his ankle, dread filling the pit of his stomach. He fell down and his hand accidentally hit the corner of the sidetable, resulting into a gash over his arm. But that wasn't what he was concerned about. Something was sparkling due to the rays of the sun from under the bed and that's what caught his attention. He immediately groped for it. Relief washed over him when it were the keys he'd thrown away earlier, poking his palms.
That's it. He could stop this.
As if caught in a dream, he brought them near. First, he stabbed the man's hand using the keys, kicking it away. Then taking the support of the side table, he dragged himself by the walls, tottering towards the closet. His shivering hands made it harder for him than usual to open the cupboard, even forcing him to land a few weak punches on it in his frustration. But he got it open, finally, and took his gun out using both his hands, carefully as one might hold a baby.
He can end this now. This could be-
The yells of his name came louder. There was banging on the door and multiple voices were calling him. He recognised them all from before. The men in the shadows.
Whimpering, he took a step back.
His feet felt like someone was poking them with a hot iron rod. Ants were crawling up his arms. He choked on a sob as he brought the gun to his temple and closed his eyes.
Hardening his resolve, he cocked the hammer.
That's it. It ends here. No more pain. No more.
Only, the impact never came because something hard collided against his hand as he was pressing the trigger and the gun flew backwards, the bullet puncturing the wall.
His heart almost stopped when he heard the gunshot but found himself intact. He glanced down at the thing that had hit him and found a helmet lying there. That's when he registered the pain in his hand. Though before he could bring his hand any closer, it was held tightly in a bruising grip. The gun was wrenched out of his hold and thrown across the room.
Daya's feral eyes wide with panic and fear came into view and a strangled sound escaped Abhijeet.
"Pagal ho gae ho tum?" Daya shouted loud enough for Abhijeet to flinch. "Yeh kya karne jaa rahe the?"
His muddled mind wasn't registering any of Daya's words. Instead, he was weakly struggling to free his wrist from Daya's hold. Though, Daya was too caught up in yelling at Abhijeet in his anger and panic.
"Ho kya gaya hai tumhe? Agar mai nahi ata toh..toh--", he pressed his mouth shut to stop his lips from quivering. He let go of Abhijeet's hand to wipe his own face.
That's when he realised that Abhijeet was awfully quiet. His anger spiked again. "Kuch bologe bhi ab? Yah aise hi khade rehna hai? Abhijeet! Mai tumse baat kar raha hun!"
Abhijeet stumbled back as Daya's voice increased again and when he looked up, Daya was surprised to see fear in his eyes.
"Abhi..jeet?" Daya muttered, confused. He jerked his head, mad at himself and softened his tone. "Boss baat kya hai, haan? Kya ho kya raha hai yahanpe?"
Abhijeet wasn't listening to him. Instead, his eyes had caught the sight of the open door and he knew what he had to do. While Daya was busy asking questions, Abhijeet took the chance and shoved Daya with a great force onto the dresser, taking him by surprise. Instantly, he dashed for the door, skipping two or more steps in one leap as he climbed down the stairs.
He was vaguely aware of Daya shouting his name behind him. But he didn't care. He just wanted out. No more tricks. No more lies.
Though, before he could cross the hall, he was yanked back by his shirt. Daya pushed him back as he came and stood between him and the door.
"Abhijeet!" Daya said through clenched teeth when Abhijeet fought against him, blindly throwing kicks and punches. Both of them knew Abhijeet could never win in a hand-to-hand against Daya. But it was as if Abhijeet wasn't thinking at all.
Daya almost took that back when Abhijeet growled and gave him a hard kick on the knee, sending a sharp pain down his leg and up his thigh. For a moment, Daya's hold loosened and Abhijeet punched him in the nose, making his eyes water. Using this to his advantage, Abhijeet leapt ahead trying to get to the main door. But Daya fisted the back of his shirt, as he rubbed his nose with his other hand, and pulled him back.
He was surprised when tears fell down Abhijeet's cheeks even as ke kept fighting. Daya knew Abhijeet wasn't in his senses right now. If he kept at it, he would only hurt himself.
His eyes widened when Abhijeet kneed him in the lower ribs and Daya doubled over in pain.
As Daya's grip over him loosened again, Abhijeet tried to run, only to be caught by the leg and fall hard on the floor. Daya didn't notice the panic in Abhijeet's eyes as he pulled him by the leg. He only saw Abhijeet going dizzy for a moment and took the opportunity to pin him down on the floor.
"Abhijeet shant ho jao! Ruko!" Daya shouted, eyebrows knitting together in tension and worry.
Abhijeet continued struggling under him, but his adrenaline was fading fast. He was already way weaker than usual or Daya knew he would've put up a better fight before.
"Abhi, boss meri baat suno." Daya tried to regain his calm. "Shant ho jao. You're safe! Please, calm down."
Abhijeet just wasn't listening to him Instead, his lips started moving and Daya strained his ears to hear what he was saying.
"Let me go, please Daya. Tum yaha nahi ho, mai jaanta hun, mai jaanta hun--please, please mujhe jaane do." He squirmed as he spoke.
The words only added to Daya's concern. "Boss.." He muttered in confusion.
Daya could feel him growing weaker. Eventually, his struggling stopped completely and a sob broke from his lips.
Abhijeet knew this shouldn't affect him so much. No man could die twice and return back alive. It was all in his head. None of it was real.
And yet he felt trapped. Everything was hurting. His chest, his head, his limbs, everything hurt.
"Please Daya, please mujhe jaane do." He begged softly through tears, voice barely audible. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." He kept apologizing.
Daya's confusion increased. "Kisliye sorry? Abhijeet tum kya bol rahe ho mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha hai." Even in his panic, Daya tried to keep his voice gentle. But he didn't think Abhijeet was listening.
"Daya please, please. I'm sorry, but please mujhe jaane do. I swear mai tum sabse bahot dur chala jaunga. Tumhe apni shakal tak nahi dikhaunga."
Hesitantly, Daya let him go but Abhijeet stayed at his place, breathing heavily. He was muttering apologies again and Daya had no idea why.
"Okay, Abhijeet, dekho," he showed him his hands, "maine tumhe nahi pakda, okay? Shaant hojao, c'mon."
Abhijeet warily stared at him and swallowed. It took Daya a moment to realise it, but when he did, it hit him like a truck. Abhijeet was scared of him!
Daya had seen Abhijeet be scared for him, but never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Abhijeet to be scared of him. His fear rose as he grasped the fact.
Forcing his thoughts aside, Daya smiled reassuringly and forwarded his hand to Abhijeet.
Abhijeet glanced at it but instead of taking the offered help, he weakily rolled away and sat up with his back against the wall, defensively bringing his knees close to his chest.
Daya's heart broke at the sight. "Abhijeet, tum mujhse dar rahe ho?"
Abhijeet pressed his mouth together in a thin line.
Daya sighed, slightly irritated. "Boss, baat kya hai?"
"Tum..tum wapas-" Abhijeet jerked his head. "Tum wapas zinda kaise..? Maine toh tumhe goli mari thi na?"
Daya looked at him, dumbfounded. "Tum hosh mein toh ho? Yeh kya keh rahe ho?"
Abhijeet opened his mouth to speak but halfway through, thought against it and shook his head, gripping his hair in frustration. Daya winced at the force with which Abhijeet was pulling his hair. Honestly, he would ask if Abhijeet was joking. But he had seen from outside, when he had gotten off his bike, the way Abhijeet was banging his head against the balcony door and how his entire body was convulsing. That picture wasn't going to leave his mind anytime soon.
As Daya helplessly looked at Abhijeet, the pill packet peeking from Abhijeet's shirt pocket caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes at them. "Yeh kya hai?"
Abhijeet looked at him in confusion. Daya pointed at the pills. "Yeh. Kiski dawaiya hai yeh?"
Abhijeet consciously reached for his shirt pocket and took the pills in his hand. He flinched when Daya reached for them. Daya immediately retracted his hand, his nervousness increasing. "Abhi, yahan lao vo."
Abhijeet looked at him with uncertainty. "Daya..kya tum sach..sachmein yahan ho?"
Daya knitted his brows together. "Iska kya matlab hua? Abhijeet mai sachmein yahinpar hun. Lao voh dawaiya mujhe do."
Not true.
Abhijeet's grip on the blister pack tightened and he moved them behind his back.
Not real. Not true.
Daya watched as Abhijeet began shaking again. He raised a questioning eyebrow "Abhijeet?"
Abhijeet shook his head, teary eyed. "Tum jao yahanse, please jao."
"Abhijeet tum mujhe bataoge bhi ki baat kya hai?" Daya said, his panic rising again.
Abhijeet didn't stop shaking his head. "Nahi. Tum yahan nahi ho. Mai jaanta hun. Sab mera vehem hai. Tum, Rocky, voh gunde, v-voh a-admi," his voice cracked, "maa, ACP sir, sab, sab mera vehem hai."
"Nahi, boss." Daya said in a soft tone, trying his best to hide his surprise at the names Abhijeet took. "Mai koi vehem nahi hun. Yeh dekho," he cautiously brought his hand up and kept it on Abhijeet's knees, in a way that Abhijeet saw all his actions. Though, when Abhijeet recoiled at the touch, he immediately took his hand away. "Dekha? Mai sachmein yahi hun, Abhi."
Some tears slid down Abhijeet's cheeks in frustration. Whatever Daya did, proved nothing. "Tumse kaha na maine, tum jao yahanse!" Abhijeet's face contorted in pain and he pressed his head.
Daya didn't even stop to consider it. He'd barely reached in time to stop Abhijeet from killing himself. He wasn't going to risk it no matter what Abhijeet said. Not until he atleast made sure Abhijeet was thinking rationally again.
"Dekho Abhijeet," Daya gulped when Abhijeet's bloodshot eyes turned to him, "sab theek ho jaega. Tum bas shaant ho jao. Mai paani-", he looked around but there was no water present of the coffee table. He wistfully looked at the kitchen. Right now, he didn't trust Abhijeet enough to leave him and go fetch water from the kitchen.
He jerked his head and turned his attention back to Abhijeet. "Dekho Boss, tum apne kamre mein jaakar thodi der so kyun nahi jaate? Mai doctor ko phone-" A strangled voice came from Abhijeet at the mention of his room and Daya instantly changes the subject, "Acha theek hai, theek hai. Yahin baitho, okay? Mai hun yahanpe."
Holding his own shirt in a shivering grip, Abhijeet shook his head, restless.
"Abhi..jeet?" Daya called with uncertainty.
Abhijeet made a choking sound as he clamped his ears with his palms, again.
Go away, go away, go away.
A strangled sob escaped his lungs and he pressed his head against his knees, covering it by his arms. Soon his body started trembling as sobs wracked through him.
He was tired, he was just so tired. He wanted it to end. This was worse than any of his nightmares. A part of him hoped it were all a nightmare. So he would wake up and recognise reality. But he knew it wasn't. And it just hurt so much.
Daya on the other hand was stumped at his place. He had never seen Abhijeet so miserable, so disoriented before.
When Abhijeet began apologising again, Daya's eyes teared up too. He cautiously scooted closer to his friend and wrapped his arms around him.
Abhijeet stiffened and tried to get away but there was no energy left in him, "Please, Daya. I'm sorry, I'm sorry-"
Daya shook his head firmly, eyes soft with concern. "Koi nahi, Abhijeet. Mai sachmein yahin hoon yaar."
Abhijeet's chin quivered. He hid his face in his palms, sobbing.
Daya brought him closer, cupping the back of his head and wrapping another hand around his shoulders. "Shaant ho jao Abhi. Mujhe tumse koi shikwe nahi hai yaar. Mai sachmein yahin hun, I swear boss."
When Abhijeet only cried harder, Daya bit his lip, worried.
Though, an idea struck him all of a sudden and Daya chuckled awkwardly. "Hey, Abhi. Tumhe pata hai aaj bureau mein kya hua? Vivek ne na aaj Freddy ko wapas phasaya. Freddy jo chai pi raha tha usmein Vivek ne ek nakli makdi daal di, aur Freddy se kaha ki voh ek bahot hi zehrili makdi hai. Apna Freddy bhi itna nautanki hai, darkar pure bureau ko ikatha kar liya. ACP sir se bahot daat padi use, pata hai? Vivek ne use baadmein bata diya tha ki makdi nakli thi. Lekin yeh Freddy? Phir bhi doctor ke paas jaakar apna pura check up karaliye."
He smiled softly when he felt a light tug at his shirt. Abhijeet was holding it as he now buried his face in Daya's shoulder. "Phir kya? Bureau mein dopeher ko der se pahucha aur wapas ACP sir ki daant khaali. Mai, Vivek aur Tasha toh kaise taise apni hasi rok paye haha." He continued his story till Abhijeet's crying completely stopped and he felt his friend go limp in his arms.
Then he took Abhijeet by the arms and carefully leaned him against the wall. He sighed at the tired face of his friend. He wasn't surprised that Abhijeet had fallen asleep. Daya couldn't recall when he had seen his friend look so tired before. Maybe after that incident sixteen years ago, and even then Abhijeet had never thought of committing suicide.
He remembered the blister pack Abhijeet had held before. He found it on the floor, and took out his phone. He saw another pack in Abhijeet's pocket and took it out, clicking pictures of them both, he placed them back, exactly where they were.
He glanced at his friend and stood up with a strange determination. He had to find out what was going on. Abhijeet was acting weird since the day he had hit his head, and this was the height of it. He wasn't going to let this matter grow anymore than it already had.
...
Abhijeet woke up to the sound of the ringing door-bell. He groaned, clutching his throbbing head, blinking to clear his vision as he looked around. The events from before came running back to him and he swallowed the thick bile rising in his throat. With recollection, came realisation. Suddenly, sleep and everything else was forgotten and Abhijeet worried about only one thing.
Was Daya really hear? How much did he witness?
As if to answer his question, the door opened and Daya came in. He found Abhijeet sitting on the floor and gave him an irritated look. "Boss agar yahinpe ho toh darwaza kyun nahi khola? Ek toh mere haath mein kitna saman hai."
He went into the kitchen and dumped the bags in his hand on the dining table. Then he took a water bottle from the refrigerator and came back, drinking the water as he walked. Abhijeet was looking at him intently.
Daya made a face. "Aise kya dekh rahe ho. Paani hi toh pi raha hun."
Abhijeet opened his mouth only to close it again. Then he jerked his head and finally spoke, "Tu yahan kya kar raha hai?"
Daya glared at him. "Khana lekar aya hun. Socha tha bureau mein nahi ho toh saath milkar khaenge." He placed the water bottle near Abhijeet and dramatically held his forehead. "Magar ACP sir, oof. Ravan ghar jaane de toh na. Ek case agaya tha. Toh unhone rok liya. Ab sidha field se hi aa raha hun." He showed Abhijeet his watch. "Batao, panch baje tak insaan bhuka hai. Aur phir bhi kisiko uski koi padi nahi hai."
A reluctant smile appeared on Abhijeet's face listening to Daya's antics, which turned sad because that meant Daya was never here.
Daya saw the change and clenched his jaw, but he didn't call it out. Instead, he said, "Vaise tum kya yahan raaste mein baithe hue ho. Yahan kaise soo gaye?"
Abhijeet looked around and realised where he was sitting. "Ha--haan voh-" He stammered, searching for an excuse.
Daya mentally sighed, though he feigned anger when he spoke, "Kahi phirse behosh toh nahi hogae tum? Tch. Maine kaha tha tumse ki aram karo. Dawaiya li thi tumne? Dawaiya chhodo, at least khana khaya tha tumne?"
When Abhijeet remained silent, Daya's anger increased. "Apna khayal rakhna toh jaise paap hai tumhare liye. Huh. Chalo ab, haath mun dhokar niche aao. Mai khana lagata hun."
Saying so, he walked into the kitchen, hiding his smile when he saw Abhijeet reach for the water bottle.
When he peered through the curtains moments later, Abhijeet was still at his place, blankly gazing into the air, looking lost. Daya sighed. He ran a hand through his hair and called Abhijeet, not in the least bit surprised when Abhijeet jumped at his voice.
"Ha--haan Daya?" Daya again glared at him. "Kya 'haan Daya', jao na jaake haath mun dho ao. Khana nahi khana kya? Utho, chalo."
Abhijeet gave him an apologetic smile and stood up. Daya gave him a quick once-over and went back in.
Abhijeet traced his steps as Daya went back and glanced at his bedroom door. He stared at it for a long moment before deciding he was not stepping in there anytime soon.
And if Daya knew Abhijeet went into the guest room instead of his own bedroom, Abhijeet didn't have to know. Though after Abhijeet left, Daya came back and he took out the mini bug he had planted under the couch before he'd left the house.
He'd called doctor Salunkhe regarding those pills and the information he'd received had shaken him up. No wonder Abhijeet looked so sick. He briefly pondered what it would be like to have all his fears play before his eyes, all the doubts he held close but never spoke out loud. A cold shiver ran down his spine. In their profession, if you aware of it, guilt was almost never ending. It would be your personal hell.
Daya knew Abhijeet too caried his own baggage. If the names that had slipped his tongue earlier, 'Rocky', 'voh gunde', 'maa', himself and ACP sir, were any indications, then Daya could vaguely picture what Abhijeet must've gone through.
He came back into the dining area and started setting the plates.
From the day he had hit his head on the railway track, Abhijeet had been behaving strange. The people he was associating with were suspicious too. Though, Daya had to admit, Abhijeet had an uncanny ability of getting himself into trouble. So he had asked Raghu to keep an eye on Abhijeet.
It was him who had informed Daya about something being fishy after he had heard Abhijeet shouting in the house. Daya hadn't thought much about it while riding to Abhijeet's home. Because, honestly, who was he kidding? It's Abhijeet. He'd shout because its Sunday.
But when he had reached here and saw Abhijeet in that condition by the balcony, fear had gripped his heart. Honestly, he would just straight up ask Abhijeet what the hell was happening if his friend weren't such a stubborn creature. And hence, the act was up.
Daya was aware if Abhijeet knew he was here before, he would kick Daya out of the house. Also, the image of Abhijeet attempting to take his own life scared Daya. So he needed to stay here, both to help Abhijeet through the after effects of those drugs and to assure his own heart Abhijeet wouldn't do anything so stupid in his right mind.
He came back from his thoughts when he saw Abhijeet come into the kitchen. He beamed at his friend, who walked in and took a seat. Though, Daya pushed down the anger that rose seeing the tired, withdrawn look on his buddy's face.
Just let him find the people behind all of this. Daya would make sure they taste what real hell feels like, no pills needed.
The End
A/N High-five to those who reached the end haha. Hope y'all liked it. Will update my other stories soon *fingers crossed*.
Do review!
Until next time!
Take care,
Janhvi