A/N: guys! Huge thanks to all those who favd/reviewed this fic. This chapter contains a bit more of Rajvi. The scenes are inspired from a movie I watched long time ago. I will add dareya when possible. May be in next chap. Next chap will have abhirika n Dareya too. Please bear with me. :)

Mystery dot com

. . .

Chapter: six: The bearded Man

. . .

The same day: 2pm

Rajvi, Nikhil are seated in what looked like a small restaurant. The place looked pretty though; crowded with people.

Nikhil leaves for washroom. Rajvi are left, both alone sipping their coffee.

Suddenly there's an uproar; some of the youths oohheed and awww-ed as a good looking anchor stepped inside the restaurant; her camera person and others tagging behind.

To RajVi's horror, she came up to a halt in front of their table and began speaking.

Anchor: Hello everybody. Welcome your favorite show Lover's spot. Ab dekhiye na, kabhi zindgi mei aisa hota hai ki hum chahte hue bhi uss special insaan ko apne dil ki baat nahi bataa sakte. Koi bahaana banaalete hai. ya darr ke maare mukhar jaate hai. aur kabhi kabhi tho mauka hi nahi milta. Aise logo k liye humara show ek vardaan hai. Humare show ke zariye aise kahi lovers ko milaaya gaya hai. tho kaun kehta hai- jodiyan sirf uparwala banaata hai? arey hum bhi banaate hai. hum Sunrise restaurant mein hai aaj k din. Tho chaliye yaha k ek silent couple se milte hai..

She turns to Rajvi with a smile. Both Rajat and Purvi are flabbergasted as they stare at her. The anchor held up the mike for Rajat.

Anchor: Hello. Hum Lover's spot programme se hai. kya aap humare iss show ka hissa banna chahenge please? Aur saat mein yeh kaun hai? Aapki girlfriend?

Rajat: uh.. woh.. hum..

Anchor: please sir.

Rajat: woh- hum log yaha ek kaam k silsile mei aaye hai (holds up his CID badge)

Anchor: (shocked) ohh I'm really sorry sir.

Rajat: (embarrassed) It's ok. She's my colleague Purvi.

Anchor: very well. CID k bare mei bohot sunaa hai. Our nation is proud of officers like you sir.

Rajat: umm.. thanks (smiles awkwardly) but please kuch bhi telecast mat kiijiye..

Anchor: OK sir. Hum aapke bare mei kuch bhi telecast nahi karenge. But hume khushi hogi aur garv bhi- agar aap ek baar humare programme mein participate karenge tho..

Rajat: (keeps mum)

Anchor: sir sochiye mat. hum aapko zyada taqleef nahi denge. Bas ek chota sa task hai. woh aapko karna hoga. Ab har waqt aap duty mei busy rehte hai. sirf aaj k din, do minute spend kijiye humare programme k liye. Please..

Purvi smiles and asks him to agree. He too decides to play along. Why not have some fun?

Rajat: uh- par..

Anchor: aap na nahi keh sakte sir please!

Rajat: OK. (agrees for Purvi's sake)

Anchor: sir aap pyar mei vishwaas rakte hai na? tho sochiye agar aapko kisi se pyar hojaye; tho aap ussey kaise express karenge?

Rajat: (shocked) yeh kaisa sawal hai. mujhe aur pyar?

Anchor: kyu nahi sir? CID walo ka dil nahi hai kya?

Rajat: aisi baat nahi hai

Anchor: achha OK. Sochlijiye Purvi ji se aapko pyar hogaya hai. abhi ki abhi kaise propose karoge?

Rajat is shocked. Purvi too is embarrassed n shocked.

Anchor: Yeh aapka task hai..

Rajat: (shocked) kya? Yeh kaisa task hai?

Anchor: it's just a small game sir. Your time starts now..

Rajat pauses for a brief moment to look at Purvi who's now smiling seeing his slightly flustered face. He picks up a rose from the vase kept on their table and begins to speak.

Rajat: uh- Purvi… kaise bolu? agar tum- tum mujhe.. pasand karti ho tho yeh rose le lo.. aur isey kabhi apne se duur nahi hone dena.

Purvi silently takes the rose without meeting his eyes. The anchor smiles and everyone clap.

Anchor: sweet and simple. Impressive sir. Thanks so much for participating. Good luck with your case..

The anchor moves to corner another couple and Rajvi heave a sigh of relief.

xxx

Sabharwal House: Delhi, 2:10 PM

Sachin and Vineet are interrogating the Palace owner.

Sachin: Aap hi Rajiv hai na, Marriot Palace ka malik?

Rajiv: Jee.

Vineet: In articles k bare mei kya kehna hai aapka?

The duo hand over some articles each one describing mysterious happenings in the palace.

Rajiv: yeh sab bakwaas hai. aap log isss mei yakin rakhte hai? Aap ko lagta hai ki waha bhoot hai? hote kaun aap jo yeh sawal kar rahe hai mujhse?

Sachin: (angry tone) CID

Rajiv: C- CID?

Vineet: haa CID Mumbai se hai hum log.

Rajiv: sir.. aisa, aisa kya hogaya jo CID ko yaha aana pada. Sir main kehta hu yeh sab bakwaas hai. sab jhoot hai sir, koi mere business kharab karna chahta hai bas.. aur kuch bhi nahi hai.

Sachin: kuch hai ya nahi woh tho hum pata lagaa k hi rahenge. Pehle ek sawal ka jawab do hume. Ithne saare log gayab hai yaha se kya kahoge uss k bare mein?

Rajiv: Kya kehna hai sir? Police uss ki jaanch kar rahi hai. Jo log gayab hue hai, aisa bhi tho ho sakta hai ki unke dushman iss k peeche ho!

Sachin: Achha. Thik hai. to phir unlogo ka kya jinki shaadi Marriot Palace mei hui aur kuch din baad unki maut hogai?

Rajiv: Kya? Kya keh rahe hai aap log.

Vineet: Sahi suna tum ne. jinki bhi shadiyan Marriot Palace mei hui, unki maut hojaati hai.. kya kehna hai iss bare mei?

Rajiv: sir aisa kuch nahi hai. main kaise yakin dilaau aapko? Yeh sach mei kisi ka ghatiya khel hai, mera business barbaad karne ka..

Sachin: zara saaf saaf bataayiye!

Rajiv: sir. Marriot Palace bohot hi khoobsurat mahal hai humara. Humne usse wedding venue banaadiya. Jinhone waha pehlibaar shaadi ki unki maut hogai ek accident mei, thik palace k saamne. Tab se logo mei apwah fail gayi ki woh jagah bhootiya hai. Log kehte the waha raat ko awaazein sunaayi deti hai. humne bohot koshish ki sir, lekin uss ghatna k baad koi bhi waha shaadi karne ko tayyar hi nahi tha. Fir humne uss Mumbai website walo se tie up kia. Socha business badhega. Pehle woh logo ka gayab hona, aur ab yeh- yeh hogaya. CID bhi aagayi iss palace ko leke…

Sachin, Vineet exchange glances.

Vineet: tho kisi pe shak hai, kaun kar sakta hai aisa?

Sachin: Kya koi dushman hai aapka jo aapki business barbaad karna chahta hai?

Rajiv: (sighs) aisa aur kaun ho sakta hai. Kamal

Vineet: Kamal? Yeh kaun hai?

Rajiv: Mera bhai.. Baba ne property ka 90% mujhe sop dia tha. Kamal mei bachpana tha, baba ko lagaa woh humari property ko sambhal nahi payega. Issliye baba k Will k anusaar property ka 90% mujhe mila hai. lekin isse woh khush nahi tha. Har roz ladaai hoti thi. Fir ek din woh mujhse root k chalaagaya. Kabhi wapis nahi aaya. Lekin mujhe lagta hai ki wohi hai, woh Marriot Palace ko haasil karna chahta hai.

Sachin: marriot palace hi kyu?

Rajiv: Issliye kyu ki woh uski favourite hai. Uski aur baba k kahi yaadein judi hui hai usse. Woh nahi chahta ki woh palace ek wedding venue mein badal jaye!

Vineet: tho ab kaha hai yeh Kamal Sabharwal?

Rajiv: patha nahi pichle dus saal mei woh mujhe kabhi nahi mila.

Sachin: aur tumne milne ki koshish nahi ki?

Rajiv: nahi..

Vineet: kamaal k bhai hai aap! Zara sib hi parwa nahi hai apne sagey bhai ki!

Rajiv: sir. ek din mujhe patha chala ki woh koi chota sa hotel chala raha hai Chandni chowk mei. Main waha gaya bhi tha- par woh mujhe nahi mila..

Vineet: nahi mila. Ya nahi dhundha tumne?

Sachin: aap sab kuch sach-sach bol rahe hai na? warna bohot bhari padega aap k upar

Rajiv: sach hi tho hai sir. Main jhoot kyu bolunga? Sir mere khud ki bête ki shaadi horahi hai Marriot Palace mei. Avinash Sabharwal ki- kya main apne bête ko maarunga? Boliye na?

Vineet & Sachin: Avinash aap ka beta hai?

Rajiv: jee.

Sachin: thik hai. jo bhi hai hum iss mystery k the tak zarur pohochenge. So don't worry. Lekin haan, zarurat pade tho puch-taach k liye hume dobara aana padega. Chalo vineet.

Sachin, Vineet leave the Sabharwal house and they quickly update ACP sir and Abhijeet about this new discovery.

xxx

back at the restaurant

Rajat makes an excuse. He dashes into the washroom to take a deep breath. Nikhil joins a slightly dazed Purvi and quickly they jump into a casual conversation.

Nikhil: Delhi is a cool place. Shopping karna padega yar..

Purvi: ya. Case khatm hote hi kisi mall mei ghus jayenge.

Nikhil: (smiles) achha idea hai.. par ACP sir permission de tab na!

At that moment Rajat clears his throat as he stands by their table. The rose in Purvi's hand slips as she gets up in a hurry.

Rajat: tho guys.. chale?

He avoids Purvi's eyes for a brief moment. He doesn't know why he is feeling awkward. What happened a moment ago was a joke! Wasn't it?

Nikhil: chaliye sir.

Nikhil gets up. Purvi manages to smile and the three head out.

. . .

Rajat, Nikhil are about to get into the taxi awaiting them outside when Purvi remembers something.

Rajat: (calls out to Purvi who's rushing back) Purvi! Kaha jaa rahi ho?

She smiles, the awkwardness now gone.

Purvi: sir woh mera kerchief rehgaya andar. Main abhi lekar aati hu..

Rajat: make it fast!

She nods. Dashing inside she makes her way towards the table where they have been sitting few minutes ago. She smiles after picking up the rose from under the table.

Purvi: oh tho yaha ho tum. Aise kaise juda hogaye tum mujhse? Pata hai tum kitni special ho. I dunno kyu.. but tumhe main yaha chodna nahi chahti. Aur kya kehti main Rajat sir se, ki main yeh rose lene wapis aagayi? Naa, isliye jhoot bolna pada. Ab tum rahoge mere pocket mei..

She pockets it with a smile and walks out.

Outside:

Rajat: mila tumhe?

Purvi: yes sir.

Rajat: tho chale?

Purvi: of course. Chaliye..

And they start off towards the Marriot Palace.

xxx

4:30pm Marriot Palace

Rajat, Purvi, Nikhil enter the place at different times, to make sure it didn't appear as they went out together. Purvi is about to take the stairs when he calls out to her. She smiles at him and he waves the mobile in his hand.

Purvi: ohh mera mobile.. aa rahi hu sir.

she makes her way to meet him again. He teases her.

Rajat: bohot bhulakkad ho rahi ho aaj kal..

Purvi: kya? Kya bhool gayi main?

Rajat: waha restaurant mei kerchief, aur yaha taxi mei tumhara mobile. Aise hi chod dogi kya?

Purvi: hmm. mujhe patha tha ki aap uthaaloge.. isliye chod aayi.

Rajat: ithna confidence? Apne senior pe?

Purvi: nahi apne dost pe.

Rajat is touched. He nods and hands her the mobile. He smiles at her.

Purvi: (smiles back) thanks sir. Waise agar aap nahi lete tho, Nikhil le aata mereliye!

Rajat: (frowns) Nikhil? Arey woh tho bus restaurant k bare mei hi soch sakta hai. Ek din k liye woh duniya bhulaadega. Waha ka khaana ithna laziz jot ha uss k liye (laughs)

She joins him in laughter. At that moment a voice interrupts them

Naina: accha! Tho yeh hai woh dost? Jise milne chali gayi tum.

Rajvi are shocked as they turn to face Naina who caught them.

Naina: kyu ji ab chori pakdi gayi tho ghabraa rahe ho? (smiles at duo)

Rajat: ji- chori? Humne-

Naina: Beeji idher dheko na. Arey mainu patha hai yeh pyar-vyar ka chakkar hai. Beeji! Mummi ji aayiye na! tarika aao sab log!

Soon Rajvi found themselves in the middle of several women, some middle aged, some older ones and even some young girls staring at them. Thankfully Tarika was somewhere and she did not turn up.

Naina: dekha Beeji! Maine kaha tha na, dost tho sirf ek bahaana tha. Purvi ko tho inn se milna tha-

All the girls and women laugh. Rajat looks lost. Never in his life, had he felt this embarrassed.

Naina: kyu ji! Aise chup kyu hogaye! Abhi tak tho badi hasi-mazak khel rahe the Purvi se? Arey Dadaji bhi aagaye!

Naina drags Abhijeet (aka her dadaji) and explains him the matter. It took a moment for him to understand what's going on. Freddy who's beside Abhi bursts out laughing seeing the pained expression on Rajat's face. Purvi on the other hand was thoroughly enjoying this.

Beeji chides Rajat about how he should not go roaming around the city with a girl before their marriage.

Beeji: arey byaah k baad ghumne jaate. Oye puttar kuch bol! Yeh bolta kyu nahi hai?

Rajat is too shocked to speak anything. Even Abhi, Freddy began pitying his situation.

Rajat: (embarrassed) ji woh hum- main- main kya kahu?

He can't say the truth now. Can he?

Nania: (teasing) oye hoye! Kitna sharmaate hai aap! Arey Kuch bhi boliye! Jaise aap pehli baar kab mile the? Aur pyar-vyar kab shuru hua?

Rajat: (opens his mouth but keeps mum)

Purvi decides to save him from further embarrassment. She loops her arm into his and starts teasing the girls back.

Purvi: bas bas! Ab aur sawaal nahi Naina ji. Dekhiye na, mere 'woh' kithna sharmaa rahe hai..

Rajat gives them a weak smile.

Naina: accha ji? Thik hai fir tho aap hi bataao kuch. Ab dekhiye na hum ne aapko apnaa maana. Hai ki nahi? Ab aapko bolna hi padega.

Purvi: kyaa bolu? Naina aap bohot acchi hai.

Naina: Na.. woh nahi chalega. Aapko bolna hi padega ji!

Freddy, Abhi exchange looks. She gives Rajat a glance of assurance and narrates a fake story.

Purvi: woh bas hum pehli baar ek railway station mei mile the! Main musibat mei fasi. Aur yeh aagaye. Inhone apna haat aage badhaaya, mujhe zameen se utaaya. Fir dosti hui aur aahista-aahista pyar hogaya!

Everyone is convinced. Beeji pinches Naina's ear and makes her apologise to Rajvi for embarrassing them in front of all. Everyone disperse. Abhi, freddy give a look to Rajat that says ' bacchuu baad mei tu gaya!' Rajat groans. Beside him Purvi giggles. He drags her to a corner so that they can talk without interruption.

Purvi: (laughs) sir aap ka chehra dekhne layak tha! Hahaahaa

Rajat: yaha meri band baji hui hai! aur tumhe Mazak sooj rahi hai?

Purvi: relax sir! Maine hi aapko bachaaya! Meri kahaani sunne k baad hi unhone hume choda.

Rajat: kahani sunaane ki kya zarurat thi? Tumhe pata bhi hai! Abhijeet sir aur Freddy sir hai waha. Kya sochte woh? Arey Sach hi keh dete!

Purvi: sir! Kya kehte? Ki hum investigation k liye gaye? Aur yeh- aise aankhei mat dikhayiye! Woh tho shukar hai ki maine kuch socha. Aap tho bas dumbo ki tarah khade the waha. Khade-khade sharmaa rahe the!

Rajat: main- main sharmaa nahi raha tha!

Purvi: (teasing) jhoot! Jhoot hai sir!
rajat: aur kya kaha tumne dumbo! Abhi dikhaata hu main kitna dumbo hu! Arey dost kya banaaliya, mujhe dumbo banaadiya tumne? Ruko..

Purvi runs from the spot. He follows her for a few seconds chasing her. But his mobile rings. She takes this moment to escape from him.

Rajat: Purvi ko main baad mein dekhlunga! mobile pe kaun hai iss waqt! ACP sir?! Ohh god!

He answers the call. ACP sir explains him the whole plan and also about what Sachin, Vineet found out.

Rajat: Ji sir. OK sir. Rakhta hu.

xxx

That night, 1 AM

All officers are outside in the huge garden surrounding the palace. ACP sir, Sachin, Daya, Vineet everyone were hiding behind some bushes. They split up into pairs and spread out encircling the palace. All of them are in touch via mobile, while keeping an eye on their surroundings.

Abhijeet and Freddy are taking a stroll around, making the most of their Dadaji getup.

Everything was fine until there is a black out. Freddy jumped and held Abhi's hand. Suddenly they were not in touch with each other as network was no longer available on mobile.

Abhijeet: myy god! Signal gaya yar! Ajeeb baat hai, raat ko thik se connect hi nahi hota! Ab hum bakiyon se kaise baat karenge?

Freddy: sir! Achanak bijli ka jaana, mobile ka signal off hona. Yeh sab.. b.. b.. bhoot ka tho kia hua-

Abhi: freddy! Bhoot-woot nahi hote. Yeh zarur kisi insaan ka kiya-kaara hai. chalo dekhte hai. woh dekho. Woh aadmi-

Abhi, Freddy notice the bearded man running along a corridor above. This time there was a girl too, curly haired girl. The girl paused for a moment. Only their dark silhouettes can be seen in the dimly lit portion of the palace. The bearded man talks with her for a moment and both begin running again.

Abhi: signal abhi bhi off hai! ab hume hi uska peecha karna padega. Freddy, main unka peecha karta hu, tab tak tum bakiyon ko inform karo ok?

Freddy: s.. sir… par akele?

Abhi: koi baat nahi. Mere paas gun hai!

Freddy: (scared tone) sir! Main aapki nahi, apni baat kar raha tha!

Abhi: freddy! Mazak bohot hua! Jaao..

Freddy obeys him and walks away. Abhi enters the hind portion of the palace, grimacing as he lost track of the bearded man again. Holding his torch high he keeps on looking for some clues when his mobile rings.

Abhi: (turning on his mobile) thank god! Network milgaya. Hello.. salunkhe sir aap? Boliye

Salunkhe: (over mobile) Abhijeet! Abhijeet ek buri khabar hai. Tarika, Tarika kahi dikhayi nahi de rahi hai!

Abhi: (shocked) Tarika gayab hai? Myyy god! Main abhi aaraha hu.

Salunkhe: Main bhi palace pohoch raha hu. Abhi kuch der pehle kisi ne mujhe phone kia. Mujhe bohot ghabraahat ho rahi hai.

Abhi: relax sir. Koi Mazak bhi tho ho sakta hai. woh kuch der pehle palace mei hi thi. Hum milkar baat karenge. Sab thik hojayega.

He hangs up vowing to catch the man. While getting out he spots the bearded man again and shouts to get his colleague's attention.

Abhi: Daya! Daya dekho wohi hai.. roko ussey.

The bearded man looks stunned as he thought he was alone at this hour of the night. He gives a glace to Abhijeet before hurrying towards the front portion of the palace. The officers chase him and finally manage catch him.

Daya slaps him.

Daya: kaha bhagega tu huh? CID se bach k bhaagega?

ACP sir, Rajat, Purvi, Nikhil, Vineet, Sachin, shreya, Abhi, Pankaj gather around the bearded man and Daya. Salunkhe too reaches there.

ACP sir: Zara dekhe iss mask k peeche kaun hai. Daya naqaab utaaro isski!

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

A/N: updated after ages. Sorry for the delay. This is an investigative story, so the chapters are long and demand so much time. So I'm unable to update this more often. Hope you all understand that. It's not that I'm partial to my other stories. I love all my works n my lovely readers who review them.

Thanks for reading. So any guesses who this bearded man is? Keep guessing. And please do review.

Coming chapters will have some mystery, some subtle romance. Don't expect too much of romance, coz there is a mystery to solve here.