Mystery Dot com

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A/N: Hello friends. So sorry for delayed update : (

I was a bit lazy to type such a long chap :P

As usual I start off saying huge thanks to all amazing people who have reviewed. There r so many.. ab kiska naam lu?! Sab ko bohot bohot dhanya waad. I hope u all like dis chap as well.

Special Note: This chapter is for you KK. Happee birthday hun. This contains a bit of abhirika hope u like : )

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Story so far: Tarika leaves for her friend Naina's wedding in Delhi. After coming to know about mysterious deaths of nine married couples who tied knot in the same venue; Abhi, Fredy enter the Palace which also happens to be the wedding venue of Naina's. They disguise themselves as Naina's Dada ji and his friend. The entire team joins them. Vineet finds out that the deceased couples have drawn a huge amount of money from their bank account a few days before their death. That night CID team keeps an eye on the happenings of the palace. They follow a mystery man who drops a piece of evidence for the team in a hurry. This evidence is a newspaper article about Marriot palace by a reporter named Lokesh. The team decides to trace Lokesh and also interrogate Palace owner about the case.

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Chapter Four: Twisted angles

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10 Am Marriot Palace, central hall

Abhi and Freddy are still in the hall observing their surroundings with keen eyes. Naina jumps at once from where she's sitting, running to hug a guy. It's Avinash aka Avi, her fiancé.

Naina, hugging him: Avinash! Kaha chale gaye the tum? kal raat se tumhara phone nahi lagraha tha. Main bohot pareshan hogayi thi..

Avinash, hugging her back: Sorry love. Main bahar gaya tha kuch kaam se..

Abhi and Freddy narrow their eyes.

Freddy, whispering in Abhi's ear- Sir pehli baar sunn raha hu ki hoi dulha, apne hi shaadi k waqt bahar k kaam bhi karta hai..

Abhi just nods and listens closely.

Naina: Main tum se naraz hu. Shaadi k baad bhi aisa hi karoge haan?

Avinash: Sorry bola na yar! Kaan pakad k maafi mang raha hu dekho. Aisa dobara nahi hoga jaan. dekho main kya laaya hu tumhare liye. Pura shehar ghum aaya tha. Bilkul aise hi necklace pehenna chahti thi na tum sangeet mein?

He hands her a package, Naina is stunned to see a beautiful diamond necklace inside.

Naina, smiling: Avi..

Avinash: Abhi aur bhi hai.. duniya ki khaas ladki k liye sab se khaas saadi.

He hands her another package and Naina's friends gather around the duo and start teasing her about how romantic Avinash is.

Meanwhile Avinash's mother angrily pulls him by his hand.

Avi's mother: Fir bhi bataake toh jaate? Ladki wale pareshan hogaye the. Chalo tumhe thoda tameez sikhaana parega.

Beeji: Chodiye Savita ji. Baccha hai..

Savita: Kaise chodu Beeji. Bilkul apne baap pe gaya hai yeh.. chalo Avi fresh hona nahi hai tumhe? Aise hi rahoge? Chalo..

Freddy senses something is wrong even Abhijeet feels the same.

They casually get up and decide to listen to the conversation between savita and her son.

Savita, dragging Avi to a secluded place- Kal puri raat kaha the tum? Kal raat ko dinner ke baad tum apne kamre mein bhi nahi ho.. Kaha chale gaye bina bataaye hue?

Avinash, stuttering: S.. Sorry mamma! Woh main.. Main Naina ko surprise karna chahta tha bas! Baat ko kyu kheech rahi ho?

Savita: Ahinda aisi Galati nahi honi chahiye Avinash. Samjhe? Kuch aisa kaam mat karna jisse hume sharminda hona pade..

Avinash nods.

Freddy whispers again: Sir iss Avinash mein kuch toh garbar hai..

Abhi: Haan Freddy zarur kuch toh garbar hai..

Before Abhi could continue a voice from behind startles him.

'Aap log yaha? Jasusi kar rahe the Avinash par?'

Freddy gulps and they both turn around to face the person who caught them.

Abhi, internal talk: Tarika ji.. oh no!

Tarika, folding her arms: Pakde gaye na chor..

Abhi manages to answer her.

Abhi: yeh tussi ki keh rahi ho? Hum bhala kisi pe jasusi kyu karenge? hum Avinash puttar se milne aaye the. Woh hume mile bina hi chale gaye na..

Avinash, Savita hear this conversation and turn to face them.

Savita: Maaf karna ji. Woh Avinash bhi na.. bohot hi sharaarti hogaya hai. Avi beta, chalo Dadaji k pair chuke aashirwaad lelo. Kab se tum se milne ko betaab the.

Avinash obeys her, Abhi reluctantly blesses him.

Naina, running towards Abhi: Arey ek minute dada ji. Ab saat mein.. mujhe bhi aap ka aashirwaad chahiye.

Naina and Avi together touch his feet. Abhi smiles and blesses them awkwardly.

Abhi: Saat janmon tak sukhi rehna..

Freddy bursts out laughing. He just dint know how long he could take it. Senior inspector Abhijeet has turned into Dada ji. How hilarious!

Abhi glares at him. He fumbles.

Freddy: Woh maaf karna. mujhse control hi nahi ho raha sirr..

Tarika turns her attention to freddy.

Tarika: Yeh aawaaz tho.. Freddy sir?

Naina, confused: Kaun Freddy sir? Aur yeh aap ko sir kehke kyu bulaarahe hai?

Abhi, covering up: Mera dost na aaj masti k mood mein hai. Isliye mujhe sir keh k bulaa raha hai.. Hai na Sardar ji?

Freddy, nodding: Haan haan.. masti k mood mein hu..

Tarika clearing her throat- Divert mat kijiye mujhe. Naina.. Tumhare Dadaji Avinash aur Savita aunty k baatein sun rahe the.

Abhi just doesn't know if he should be happy that she's attentive or be disappointed she caught him again.

Naina- Tarika. Kya hua hai tujhe. Dada ji jhut kyu bolenge? Woh kab se Avi ko milna chahte the. Chal ab bakwaas band kar aur Dada ji ka pair chuke aashirwaad lele. Teri bhi shaadi bohot jald hojayegi dekhna..

Abhi, internal talk: Arey yeh Naina toh mujhe sach mein Tarika ji k Dada ji banaa k hi chodegi..

Freddy decides to tease him. Aisa mauka milega kab?

Freddy: Arey bacchii chulo inke pao. Inka aashirwaad humesha kaam aati hai…

Tarika rolls her eyes.

Abhi, fumbling- arey nahi nahi. Aise formalities U. S. mein hai kaha? Ab U. S. mein toh log aksar gale lag jaate hai..

Tarika's mouth hangs open at his comment. Muu mein daant nahi aur iss Dadaji ko hug chahiye?!

Tarika: Excuse me!?

Abhi, with a naughty smile: Arey nahi nahi.. Gussa karna sehat k liye thik nai hai bacchii. Maine thodi na tumhe hug karne ko bola hai.. Main sirf waha k reeti riwaz samjha raha tha..

Tarika: God! Mujhe aap se baat hi nahi karna chahiye tha!

She leaves giving him an angry look and he smiles. He just can't wait to let her know how beautiful she looked when she was angry.

Naina and others disperse. Freddy heaves a sigh of relief.

Freddy: Ek musibat tho dhal gayi. Is Avinash ka kya karein sir?

Abhi: Pankaj se kaho ki iss pe nazar rakhe..

. . . . . . . . . . . .

A while later, Purvi's room…

Purvi checks herself in mirror. She's wearing a simple Punjabi suit, matching ear rings and bangles. She dint know how much she missed this traditional look. Ever since she has joined CID all she did was wearing formals. She smiles to herself adoring her image in mirror when she finds a set of dark brown eyes staring back at her (in the reflection) . She turns to smile at that person standing in the door way.

Purvi: Rajat sir?

Rajat, staring at her in awe: Uh.. woh darwaza khula tha. Sorry main..

Purvi: Sorry kisliye sir. Maine hi darwaza khula choda tha. Sir dekhiye na. Beeji ne mujhe yeh dress gift kia. Mere lakh manaa karne k bawjood bhi..

He's not listening as he is too busy appreciating the innocent beauty standing in front of him.

Purvi, chattering: Oh god! Aaj mujhe aise hi investigation k liye nikalna hoga. Its ok na?

Rajat: uh.. umm..

Purvi: Aise kya dekh rahe ho sir? Main buri toh nahi lag rahi na?

Rajat, smiling shaking his head: Nahi nahi.. tum..

Purvi: Fir aise kyu dekh rahe the..

Rajat, embarrassed: woh kabhi dekha nahi na tumhe iss tarah.. toh..

Purvi, smiling n nodding: toh fir bataayiye.. kaisi lag rahi hu main?

Rajat, shocked : Kya?

Purvi: Bataayiye na..

Rajat: Main.. Main kya bolu..

Purvi: aap ko bolna hi hoga sir. Aap ko kya lagta hai dosti karna aasaan hai? Kabhi kabhi doston ki tareef karni padti hai. Khaas kar k jab woh dost ek ladki ho toh. you know..

Rajat smiles widely. He glances at her beautiful face and truth somehow escapes his lips.

Rajat: Bohot khubsurat lag rahi ho..

Purvi, smiling back: thank you sir..

They share a cute eye lock but their moment is ruined by Nikhil who informs Purvi that Naina is looking for her.

Nikhil: arey Purvi.. wah yar.. kahi teri shaadi toh nahi ho rahi na? I mean acchi lag rahi ho.

Purvi, hitting him slightly: Thank you..

(Purvi and Nikhil are best buddies here. I just wish some people grow up. A girl and a guy can be good friends too. No offense Just My POV. )

Nikhil: Main kyu aaya tha yaha. Haan- Naina tumhe bulaa rahi thi. Keh rahi thi kuch make up k bare mein baat karni hai. thodi der mein hume investigation k liye nikalna hai. Tum kisi na kisi tarah manage karlena ok?

Rajat: Haan Purvi. Jald se jald tum niklo waha se. Nikhil pandrah minute mein gaadi leke main gate pahunch jana. Main Purvi ko leke ajaaunga. Purvi main thik Palace k saamne garden mein tumhara wait karunga.. Make it quick.

Nikhil, Purvi: Ji sir..

They leave and Rajat too manages to reach the garden.

. . .

Purvi goes to meet Naina who's in the hall flanked by her family members and Dadaji.

Naina: Arey aagayi Beeji Dekho. yeh hai Purvi. suna hai bohot acchi make up karaati hai..

Beeji: Accha..

Purvi, greets her: sasriaakal Beeji.

Beeji: Jeete raho puttar. Badi sohni lag rahi ho. Dekha.. yeh salwar tujh pe khub jamegi kaha tha na maine.

Purvi: Ji shukria.. Main yeh sirf aap k liye pehna hai. Aap ne ithna pyar se diya.

Beeji: Oh acchi baat hai puttar. Woh zara Naina puttar ki make-up karlo pehle. Main bhi dekhu kitni badi make-up artist hai tu..

Purvi nods. The girls follow Naina into her room. Purvi manages to apply some light make up and eye liner. Naina's friends like it. They all want to try that look too. Naina requests Purvi if she could do it. Purvi hesitates.

Purvi: Sorry Naina ji. Woh main.. abhi mujhe.. kahi jaana hai.. woh darasal-

Just then Purvi's mobile begins to ring. She smiles seeing Rajat's name on the display. Naina catches her smiling she can guess who it can be.

Naina: Koi zaruri kaam hai kya? Shayad uss waja se hi call aaraha hai tumhe..

Purvi: haan.. woh mera ek dost hospital mein hai. Bas usi se milnejaana hai..

Naina: Its OK. aap jao. Magar Shaam ko koi bahaana nahi chalega ji.

Purvi: Ji thank you.

Purvi rushes out quickly. She runs as fast as she can. She just needs to get out before someone else stops her. She descends the stairs and runs straight to the entrance towards the garden. She keeps running, letting her dupatta sawying to the wind, dodging people. She smiles as she spots him. He smiles back. She fastens her pace and-

She collides into him. Thankfully his reflexes are still sharp enough and he steadies her by wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She breathlessly looks at him. He too is too shocked to move a nerve. To on lookers it looked as if she was running to embarace him.

Naina and her friends keep observing this from the balcony.

Naina: Mujhe lagaa tha, yeh zarur pyar vyar ka mamla hoga

Back in garden, a bewildered Rajat keeps staring at Purvi. He just doesn't know why he couldn't take his eyes off her. Reality strikes him soon and he parts from her. She apologises releasing her breath which she dint know she has been holding all the while.

Purvi, looking down: I'm sorry sir..

Rajat doesn't know what to say. The way she's looking down and that tinge of redness spreading across her cheeks. Is she blushing?

Rajat: No.. Its OK. Tumhari Galati nahi hai.

She smiles at him.

Purvi: Toh chalein sir?

Rajat: Haan haan chalo..

She begins to walk towards the main gate where Nikhil is awaiting them. He realizes something. Purvi is cute; whether blushing or not.

. . . . .

10: 20 AM, Hotel Marvel

Daya meets ACP sir in his room to discuss about the case.

Daya: Good morning sir.

ACP and Salunkhe greet him with a smile.

Salunkhe: Arey arey aao boss! Tumhari hi baatein ho rahi hai.. tum thodi aur der lagaathe toh ACP sir k gusse k aag mein-

ACP, cutting him off: Salunkhe, main apne officers pe yuhi gussa nahi karta. Yeh toh teri aadat hai-

Salunkhe, getting angry: Meri aadat hai? Arey yeh tumhare kuch officers ki aadat hai, mujhe gussa dilaane ki.. khas kar k tumhare woh Abhijeet.

Daya: Sir Abhijeet kaha se aagya beech mein?

Salunkhe: ahh main bhul gaya Abhijeet nahi hai par unke yeh dost hai na.. mujhe chup karaane k liye..

Daya: Sir.. aap khamokha gussa karre hai.

Salunkhe: Haan.. main hu aisa.

The forensic expert walks off in anger and ACP sir consoles Daya.

Daya: Sir maine kuch galat kaha tha kya?

ACP: Nahi nahi Daya. Salunkhe ko toh tum jaante hi ho na. Ab bolo blue print laaye ho Palace ka..

Daya: Ji sir.. aur saare guests k list bhi. Sir kul milke do sau guests hai Marriot palace mein. Aur yeh dekhiye sir.. Palace ka map. Kaafi purana palace hai, isliye blue print nahi laapaya. Lekin yeh bhi kisi blue print se kum nahi..

ACP: Hmm..

Daya holds out a piece of paper and starts explaining to his senior.

Daya: Sir yeh iss palace k doh hisse hai. Ek woh jagah jahan pe Naina ki shaadi ho rahi hai. Iss hisse mein lag-bhag 100 kamre hai sir. Aur yeh pichla hissa. Jahan pe woh aadmi ko gayab hote hue dekha tha humne. Pichle 20 saal se yeh hissa band hai sir. Waha koi nahi jaata. Agar koi jaana chahe toh garden se paar kar k hi jaana padega. Koi dusra raasta nahi. Aur Hume patha chala ki iss hisse safaai bhi nahi ki jaati. aaspaas logon ka kehna hai ki unhe ajeeb si aawazein sunaayi deti hai raat ko. Woh log iss palace ko bhutiya maante hai. Aur isliye koi waha nahi jaata sir..

ACP: hmm.. Shayad aaj raat ko hume waha jaana chahiye. Jaana chahiye hume waha.. aur dekhna hai yeh awaazein bhoot k hai ya kisi insaan ka joh yeh saazish racha raha hai.

Daya : Haan sir. Par Sir vineet aur Sachin kaha gaye ? Kahi dikhayi nahi de rahe hai..

ACP: Woh gaye hai iss Palace owner k bare mein patha lagaane. Unke aane k baad hum decide karenge ki aagey hume karna kya hai..

Daya: Sir ek baat kahu..

ACP: Haan kaho Daya..

Daya: yeh case aage badh hi nahi rahi sir. Ab tak ek bhi clue nahi mila..

ACP: Miljayega Daya. Miljayega.. Rajat gaya hai na uss reporter ka patha lagane, zarur kuch milega. Sachin aur Vineet bhi toh gaye hai na. Aur raat ko fir se palace pe nazar rakhenge. Koi na koi suraag mil hi jayega..

Daya nods.

Daya: sir, lekin ek baat toh hai. Jo bhi horaha hai.. sirf raat ko horaha hai. subah sab thik lagta hai.

ACP: Bilkul Daya. Raat ko hi kuch ho raha hai waha.. lekin kya? Jald hi patha lagaana padega..

Daya: Achha sir main chalta hu.

ACP: Arey Lunch kar k jao Daya.

Daya: Nahi sir.. woh main breakfast kar k aaya hu..

Salunkhe sir enters the room.

Salunkhe: Yeh mat kehna Daya ki ab tak tumne jo bhi khaya woh hazam nahi hua. Waise Salunkhe k haat ka khaana nahi khaana tumhe?

Daya: Wah sir.. aap banayenge khana? Aap jante hai na sir, khane ko main bilkul mana nahi kar sakta..

ACP and his friend share a laugh. Daya joins them.

Daya: Achha hua sir aap ka gussa thanda hua. Warna aap mujhe rukne k liye nahi kehte na..

Salunkhe: mere gussa ko thanda hona hi tha boss. Ab pariwar walon se bhala kab tak gussa rahenge bolo..

Daya, giving a genuine smile: Haan sir. Thik kaha aap ne.

They laugh, they fight, sometimes tease each other. But they are a family, not just a team. All for one - One for all.

. . . .

11 am, Mariot Palace:

Naina corners Tarika who is monitoring the preparations.

Naina: Taru..

Tarika: Kya hai?

Naina: Arey ithna gussa.. Arey meri sweetie. Naraz hai ki maine Dadaji ko support kia?

Tarika: Main kaha naraz hu? Aur Tune kabhi iss dost ko support kia hai? Huh?

Naina: Aww Taru of course tujhe support karungi. Dekh, Dadaji bohot acche hai. Unko sirf in formalities mein vishwaas nahi hai.. tu har baat ko galat kyu samajhti hai?

Tarika, dropping the garland in anger: Maine galat samjha? Arey unke yaha hug karte hai.. iska matlub jaanti ho? Ek pal k liye mujhe laga jaise woh mere gale lagna chahte the.

Naina: Taru tu fir se galat soch rahi hai. Dekh unhone koi badtameezi ki tere saat, nahi na? Unhe main bachpan se jaanti hu. Acchhe hai woh.. Ek baar dil se soch. Sab tujhe samajh mein aayega..

She leaves and Tarika bites her lip. Did she really misunderstand Dadaji?

. . . . .

1:30 PM Times of Delhi office, New Delhi

Rajat, walking into the office: Chronicles of Delhi mein bhi, koi reporter nahi jiska naam Lokesh hai.. Toh yahi milega woh.

Nikhil: I hope miljaye sir.. subah se kitne offices k chakkar kaat chuke hai hum..

Rajat: Miljayega Nikhil..

Purvi: Haan sir.. mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai.

Nikhil: Andar chal k dekhte hai sir..

They greet the editor Ajay and show the newspaper cutting they found.

Rajat: Kya yeh article aap k newspaper ka hai?

Ajay: Haan hai. Lokesh humara hi reporter tha.

Rajat: Tha mutlub? Kya hum is Lokesh se milsakte hai?

Ajay: Sir Lokesh ki maut hogai.

All three officers: KYA? Kaise?

Ajay: Haan... lekin aap iss tarah sawal pe sawal kyu karre ho?

Nikhil: Kyu ki hum log CID se hai..

Ajay: CID?

Rajat: Haan CID.

Purvi: ab bolo.. Kab hui uski maut? Aur kaise?

Ajay: Sir Lokesh humara crime reporter tha. Bohot hi dedicated tha. Woh patha lagaane ki koshish karraha tha ki iss bhutiya palace mein aakhir chal kya raha hai.. Sheher k kaafi log uss palace mein lapatha hue the. Itne saare missing cases.. Aur police bhi koi action nahi le rahi tho ek acche patrakar k naate woh investigate karne chala tha. Lekin safal nahi hopaya. Woh keh raha tha ki iss mystery k tehh tak pahunch jayega par.. ek din achanak..

Ajay pauses remembering his friend's death.

Nikhil: Ek din achanak..

Ajay, teary: uska accident hogaya.

Rajat: Kya? Lekin kaise hua?

Ajay: Patha nahi sir.. Lokesh ek accha driver tha. Aur kabhi bhi uski gadi ko kharoch tak nahi aayi. Lekin uss din uske gaadi ek truck se takraagayi aur.. woh.. woh mar gaya.

Purvi: sir ho sakta hai kisi ne isey marwaaya ho? Taaki Marriot Palace k secrets kisi ko na patha lage.

Rajat: Aisa ho sakta hai Purvi. Ajay ji.. Fir kya hua?

Ajay: Kya hua sir? Kuch nahi.. Lokesh k baad jo reporter Wasim aaya woh bhi darr k maare bhag gaya. Humne woh investigative series band kardi. Saat hi logon mein apwah faail gaya ki woh jagah bhootiya hai.

Rajat: tumne police complaint kiya nahi? Mera matlab kisi pe shak hai- jisne yeh Lokesh ka khoon karwaaya hoga?

Ajay: Mariot palace k kisse ko Police already investigate kar rahi hai. Toh hum kya karein? Aur Nahi sir kisi pe shak kaise kar sakta hu main?

Nikhil: Sir, Lokesh ek crime reporter tha sir. Khoon toh koi bhi karaa sakta hai sir..

Rajat: Ji.. thank you Ajay. Agar zarurat pade toh hum fir se puch-taach karenge.

Rajat, Purvi, Nikhil leave the place. Outside the office Nikhil expresses his disappointment.

Nikhil: Sir ab yeh Lokesh bhi mar gaya.. Hum ne socha iske zariye koi suraag mil jayega. Lekin, Ab kaise sove hoga sir yeh case?

Rajat: Solve hoga Nikhil. Haan yeh case solve karna thora mushkil hai. Lekin naa mumkin nahi. Ek CID officer ko kabhi haar nahi manna chahiye..

Nikhil: Aap sahi keh rahe hai sir.

Rajat: Hmm.. ab hume waapis jaana chahiye.

Nikhil: Sir mujhe toh zoron ki bhuk lagi hai..

Purvi: Sir mujhe bhi..

Rajat smiles at his collegues.

Rajat: Thik hai.. pehle ACP sir ko inform kardete hai. Fir pet (stomach) ki puja karlethe hai.

Nikhil: Accha idea hai sir..

Purvi: Ek achha sa restaurant chalte hai sir.

Rajat calls up ACP sir and informs him about Lokesh's death. ACP sir is shocked but asks to contact Police who is investigating the case. All three set off in search of a restaurant.

. . . . . .

1:40 PM, Marriot Palace

Abhi is in room talking with Rajat over phone.

Abhi: kya.. Lokesh ki maut hogayi. Myy God..

Before he can go on, someone enters his room and he hangs up.

Abhi: Main baad mein baat karta hu..

He turns around and is shocked to see Tarika with a plate of food.

Tarika, looking down: Woh Dadaji, Main aap k liye khaana layi hu..

Abhi: Oh yaha rakh dena..

Tarika, placing the plate on side table: Ji woh mere bartaav k liye maafi maangna chahti thi. Maine kuch zyada hi gussa kia aap k upar..

Abhi just smiles. Isn't she so sweet?

Abhi: Koi baat nahi bacchi.. tu bhi toh meri Naina ki tarah hai na?

Tarika, smiling a little: Aap ne mujhe maaf kia?

Abhi: Ab is mein maafi ki kya zarurat hai?

Tarika: Aap ne mera guilt dur kar diya. Thank you. Arey aap uss taraf mude kyu ho? Jaldi ayiye warna khaana thanda hojayega..

She then suddenly remembers Abhijeet and how he was jealous when she had lunch with her friend Sanjyog.

Tarika, thinking – Abhijeet ne khaana khaya hoga bhi ya nahi? Phone karti hu..

'The number you are trying to reach'

She groans as she's unable to reach him via mobile.

Abhi adjusts his mustache and beard. He sees her dialling someone's number repeatedly.

Abhi, being natkhat: Kisko phone lagaa rahi hai bacchii?

Tarika is looking at the wall behind him, not meeting his eyes.

Tarika: ek dost ko.. haan lag gaya..

She rushes out of the room smiling a little.

Abhi can feel his mobile vibrating in his pocket and his smile widens as he sees it's Tarika ji calling him.

Chalo isi bahaane humari yaad toh aagayi Tarika ji ko.. He decides not to answer her call as she's standing outside directly facing him. Few seconds later she comes back complaining.

Tarika, murmuring: Kyu nahi uthaaraha yeh Abhijeeet mera phone. Busy hoga shayad.

Abhi, teasing her: K.. Kaun hai yeh Abhijeet?

Tarika: Ji.. woh ek dost hai.

Abhi: Dost? Iss dost ko aap ka fikar hai bhi ya nahi? Shayad nahi. Agar hota toh phone answer karta na. Aaj kal k ladke na sirf-

Tarika: Nahi nahi. Abhijeet aise nahi hai. Woh.. woh bohot acche insaan hai. Humesha dusro ki madad karte hai. Apni parwa kabhi nahi karte. Bas kisi kaam mein busy honge. Bohot acche hai woh. Sach kahu toh, unki jithni acchi nahi hu main..

He can see she's getting carried away in her emotions. He doesn't oblige as this is best way to know her closely.

Tarika: Aur unke jitna himmat nahi hai mujh mein. Par koshish karti hu jitna hosake uthna dusron k liye khadi hojau. Chaahe mera jaan hi kyu na chali jaye. Pehle toh main bas ek aam ladki ki tarah jeeti thi. Dusron ki madad karne se darti thi. Sirf apne kaam se matlub rakhti thi. Himmat toh maine unse seekha, lekin ajeeb baat toh yeh hai ki.. yeh wohi insaan hai jisko jab pehli baar mili thi, toh lagaa - kaise insaan hai yeh- humesha masti k mood mein rehte hai. Lab mein hasi Mazak khelte rehte hai mere saath. Fir.. Fir dekha ki kaise woh apne kaam ko leke humesha serious rehte hai. Kitna dard hai unke zindgi mein- apnon se dur hone ka dard. Aur fir maine socha ki mere unke paas hone se ek, ek halki si muskaan unke chehre pe aajaye toh.. isse zyada mujhe aut kya chahiye. fir dekhte hi, dheere dheere unke maujudgi meri khushi ki waja bangayi. aur pyar toh yahi hai na.. ki unki khushi humari khushi aur unka ghum humara.

He feels the emotion hidden behind her words and is touched. He dint know he was this lucky. He's happy because he has someone who can understand him despite being so far from him. He's glad she's not looking at him all the while. She is staring out of the window. If she would have been looking at him, he would have not stopped himself from hugging her. And that would have given away his identity.

When did she begin loving him this much? Well, he loves her too. His feelings are as strong as hers. He'd let her know this as soon as this drama ends.

Tarika: Main nahi jaanti ki woh kya sochte hai mere bare mein. Kabhi seedhe seedhe kehte nahi.. lekin mujhe yakin hai ki - main unke khamoshi ko bhi samajh sakti hu. Aur yeh zaruri nahi ki woh humesha mere saat rahe. Bas unke paas hone ka ehsaas hi kaafi hai mereliye.. Aur Iss waqt bhi aisa lagraha hai, jaise woh mujhe sun rahe hai.. mere aas-paas hai.

Reality dawns upon her and she stops herself from going further.

Tarika, embarrassed: Arey sorry Dada ji. Main bhi kitni emotional ho jaati hu kabhi kabhi..

She wipes her tears which somehow leaked from her eyes. Naina who enters the room notices her tears.

Naina: Taru.. Kya hua? Dada ji ne kuch kaha?

Tarika: Arey nahi nahi. woh bas- Kisi ki yaad aagayi. Tum khaana serve karlo na Dadaji ko..

Naina watches her leave. Abhi quickly brushes his own tears and smiles up at Naina.

Naina: Dadaji.. woh thik hai na?

Abhi: Haan haan puttar. Kisi ki yaad aagayi thi bas..

Bas kuch din aur Tarika Ji. Aur hum fir se saath hojayenge, humesha k liye.. Abhi lovingly looks at Tarika's retreating form.

Just then Freddy enters examining a bracelet he found somewhere. Naina recognises it.

Naina, to Freddy: Arey aap bilkul thik waqt pe aagaye. aap ki tabiyat kaisi hai ab? Main aap k liye bhi khaana yahi bhijwaati hu. Ek minute- Aap ko yeh bracelet kaha se mila?

Fredy, smiling a little: Woh palace k pichle hisse k paas..

Naina: Yeh toh Avi ka bracelet hai!

Naina takes the bracelet from Freddy and leaves in a hurry to get him lunch.

Freddy (turns to Abhi) : Sir.. Yeh bracelet mujhe us jagah se mili hai jahan se woh mystery man gayab hua tha..

Abhi, narrowing his eyes: Freddy.. Yeh Avinash itna bhi bhola nahi.. jitna ki sab samajhte hai..

. . . . . .

Next chap:

Some more Rajvi n Abhirika moments. CID team interrogates the Palace owner. And possibly the mystery man will be caught! Don't worry Abhirika jald hi saath honge. Lambi judaai will end :D

. . . . .

A/N : Not so good chapter I know. Next chap will be better I can say.

Fir bhi Kaisa Lagaa chap? Review mein bol dena!

Thanks for reading : )