Rawte house, Lonavala
Next morning,
The doorbell rang several times. Aisha opened the door and was greeted by a drunk Neha.
“Good morning babey!” Neha stepped in and stumbled on Aisha.
Aisha held her, “Neha, what is this scar on your face?”
“What scar?” Neha asked drunkenly.
“This, on your cheekbone” she said and touched it gently, “seems like an old one”
“Well, you know, these men, all bastards- they all want things in their way, if you don’ do what they want, they don’t mind scarring you for life,” Neha ranted, “So, my dear women, do not trust these men, they are all bloody bastards. Don’ trust them, never ever trust those who look all good, act all good, they ruin you like no other. Bloody-”
“Neha, calm down. I’ll take you to your room.”
“Aish!! Women are the God’s most beautiful creation, their lips, so soft… Aish, ever kissed a girl?”
“No,” Aisha said, looking around uncomfortably.
“Woman, you don’ know what you’re missing. If you ever feel like, I’m around,” She winked, “Also, fun fact- I made out wit' a girl last night,” Neha said grinning widely.
“Okay.” Aisha looked at Arjun who was glaring Neha.
“OKAY? Such a dry response? Helllooo everyone!!! I MADE OUT WITH A WOMAN LAST NIGHT. MY FRIEND, also A MARRIED WOMAN. Are y'all not excited?” She looked around to find everyone look at her awkwardly. “It was amazing, FYI!”
Arjun took a deep breath and said in a seemingly calm voice, “A married woman? Neha? Are you in your senses?”
“Yes! We were. It was all very consent-y. Why are you so worried? I didn’t fu-k your wife!” Neha said nonchalantly.
Arjun spilled his tea, “You didn’t wha-?”
“Neha, let's just go to your room. Please shush.” Aisha tried silencing her.
Neha stopped mid-way as she heard her phone buzzing, “Is that my phony?” She picked up her phone without looking, “Hey Honey!”
“Thank god you’re not dead,” Vikram sighed, “hon- how drunk are you?”
“Vik! I’ve been dead inside for long, but thanks for your concern. I’ve had some 4ish bottles of finely aged vodka sooo pretty drunk I guess- pretty and drunk, pretty...”
“Call back when you’re sober.” He disconnected the call.
“I’m always sobe-ok, bye.” Neha kept her phone down, “Now, I need to pee- bye folks.” She managed to reach the common washroom near the kitchen, stumbling a few times on a perfectly levelled floor.
Ten minutes later, she came out of the washroom, half-wet, “Holy fu-king shit! Why does that tap not mention that it also turns on the shower? Ah-my head-kill me man!” she looked at around, “How? When did I come back?”
“Half-an hour ago.” Sakshi said in a matter-of-fact tone.
“Kaki! Make me a strong cup of black tea with lots of ginger and lemon.” She sat on the couch and ruffled her hair, “my goldilocks’ all wet,” glanced at her reflection in the mirror, “you’re an ugly bitch!” threw a vase and shattered the glass.
“The problem is you, not the mirror.” Arjun said curtly, “Now get up and pack your stuff, we’re leaving in 10 minutes.”
“My hair will take an hour to dry. Also, I haven’t even packed my stuff, another hour at least. Also, why are you shouting at me? What did I do?”
“What did I do?” Arjun mimicked, “you-”
“Neha,” Sameer cut him short, “We have to leave ASAP, just pack whatever you need and we leave, okay?”
“Alrighty.” She went up to her room, packed her bag in five minutes and came back. “We leave after I finish my tea?” she sipped her tea and checked her phone, “OMG!! 30 missed calls in last 4 hours, how desperate did you have to be, doc?”
“Team, let’s leave.” Sameer said.
“I need to make an important call.” Neha interrupted.
“You can do that in the car. Don’t waste our time.” Arjun said and left.
~
Later that night,
Rawte Mansion, Mumbai,
After a very silent dinner,
Neha, “Bhaiya, what is it? Why are you not talking to me?”
“You shouldn’t be asking that.” Arjun said without looking at her, putting the plates in sink.
“Such drama-queen, now tell me, what did I do? Did I...Did I say something I shouldn't have?” She asked casually, “Please tell me!”
“If you can’t handle drinks, don’t drink. Do not get that drunk again, at least not in front of your colleagues. I don’t know about you but I have a reputation.”
“Wait a minute. What do you mean ‘I have a reputation’? I don’t have any?” She sighed, “I don’t drink because it’s fun, I drink to- never mind, you won’t understand. Let it be.”
“I won’t understand? Did you even try telling?”
“I don’t want this conversation, let’s just not-”
“Neha, what is it that you are hiding?”
“Fine! I made it up, that entire story was fabricated.”
Arjun frowned, “How did you get that scar?”
“Went on hiking, fell down. Now stop asking me about it. Goodnight, sleep tight!” She went into her room and closed it with a loud thud.
She washed her face with cold water and cleaned the makeup, stared at her scar.
‘Too proud of your pretty face, aren’t you?’ He scorned.
‘Not really-’ before she could finish, she felt a sharp pain beneath her left eye. She looked at him in horror, he had slashed a broken wine bottle across her face.
She held his hand and hit the broken bottle into his chest with all her might.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her trance, “Vik! I was waiting for your call. What were you high on?”
“Nothing, I was just worried that you might be in some sort of danger or worse, others might be in danger because of you.” Vikram replied.
“30 calls are a lot. Did you not consider the probability of time, like I could be sleeping?”
“You can’t miss that many calls, and I know how you sleep.”
“Damn, you know me too well.”
“Next week, I’ll be coming to Mumbai. I’ve wrapped up most cases and paperwork. Bull was asking how you’ve been doing with your case, any new information?”
“Found some, will mail you, also, you had to be here two months ago.” She said, dabbing her face with towel.
“I’ve got other cases as well.”
“Fine. See you then!”
“Meanwhile, don’t do anything stupid.”
“Can’t promise but I’ll try. Toodles!”
“Take care.”
~
Aisha and Liza took Neha to a secret room they had made in the ETF office behind the evidence room.
“Whoa! This is amazing!” Neha exclaimed looking at the room. “Girls, I need your help.”
“Yes. We will help you.” Both said in unison.
“Since yesterday, I am feeling really odd. Like someone is messing with my system.” Neha said. “Can you do a blood-test on me?”
“Yes.” Liza said.
“It has to be a secret between three of us.” Neha said.
“Do we have a codename for this?” Aisha asked.
“The Powerpuff Girls?! You Aish, Blossom our commander-leader, you’re Bubbles Liz and I’m Buttercup!” Neha said with childlike excitement.
“Never gonna grow up, are you?” Aisha smiled while Neha shook her head.
“The Powerpuff Girls!!” Liza said, “Just asking, why we are excluding Sakshi?”
“No hard feelings, but she’s not a cop and that’s our criteria. Also this place is lit! Thank you guys! You the best!” Neha hugged them both.
~
Next day,
ETF conference room,
Neha is frantically searching something.
“Neha, what do you want?” Arjun asked, seeing her act hyper.
“My pen” She said, still searching. Arjun looked at her, then pulled out a pen from beneath her file, “This one?”
“No, my blue raspber- yes, this.” She snatched it from his hand.
He shook his head and immersed himself in the file again.
Arjun looked her, “Neha, what is this? How did you mix evidences of two very different cases? How irresponsible of you!”
She looked at him with irritation and asked curtly, “They’re all dead anyways, who cares?”
“What do you mean who cares?” Arjun was taken aback with her behaviour. “This is highly unprofessional and not acceptable. Take these files, put everything properly and write the entire report again.”
“Not happening.” She said and left.
Neha went to the restroom to wash her face, “What is wrong with me? Why am I behaving like this?” She splashed water on her face repeatedly, “Why am I unable to concentrate on anything and these hallucinations. I think I’m being given drugs.. Shit, I am being drugged. But how? Why? And who?” She sat down on the floor, “What do I do now?” She was shaking.
Aisha came in to check on her, “Neha, are you okay?”
Neha looked up, with tears brimming her eyes, “I don't know Aish.. I.. wanna kill..m-m..myself.”
Aisha hugged her, “Shush.. Neha, my strong girl, everything will be fine. Don't worry. Come on.”
“No.” She pushed Aisha away, “I messed up real bad. Bhaiya will hate me. I don't know anything. I wanna die. Aish please.. please kill me, please kill me.” Neha said sniffling.
Aisha wiped her tears, and hugged her again, “Neha, Neha, shh, relax. Take a deep breath. Yes, good. Now, listen to me. You are fine. Everything is alright. Nothing is wrong. Come, we have to go. Everyone is waiting for us.”
“No, I don't wanna go.”
After a while, Aisha managed to calm and bring Neha out.
Arjun was in his cabin, furiously raging, a visibly shaken Liza sat on one chair. Aisha looked around, trying to find an escape but Sameer came to them, “Neha, go to Arjun's cabin right now. Aisha, come with me.”
“But sir-”
“Aisha, it’s an order.”
Arjun was ready to explode like a pressure cooker. Neha stepped in and closed the door, she saw Liza sitting and smiled at her.
“Neha, please take a seat.” He said in a low voice, bringing her to the sofa. She sat, looking around. He sat beside her, pulled out her bottle of medicines and took out a capsule from it. He opened the capsule and emptied its powder on the coffee table. “Here, have it, you'll feel better.” He said sarcastically.
She looked at it and then at him, scared at look in his eyes, he was ready to eat her alive, literally. She inhaled sharply, “Bha-”
“Don't you dare!” He said with his voice steadily raising. “Are you not ashamed of yourself? What do you think you are doing? Something great? You thought I'd never find out that you were doing drugs on duty, that too here, in ETF? What do you think of yourself Ms. Neha Rawte? You don't even deserve this name. You've brought disgrace to our family. I am ashamed of you. I failed myself. And you don't even feel ashamed of your act? You ask me what? You have the audacity to raise your voice against me?”
Neha mumbled “I am being drugged. Someone is framing me. I don't know who and why. Please trust me-”
“How could you Neha? What were you thinking? You'll do anything and get away with it because you're my sister? Wrong. You are not my sister anymore. You have lost it all. Now get out of here and never return. I don't want to see you again. Out! Now!”
Neha walked out of his cabin and went home and locked herself in her room.
~
Two days later,
Evening,
ETF office,
Sameer's cabin,
Arjun, Aisha and Liza are sitting in his cabin and having a meeting.
Sameer said, “Rawte, you were really rude to Neha. Also, I trust what Aisha and Liza have to say. What if she was really framed? Someone did it on purpose. Ask yourself, do you really think Neha would do something of this sort on her own? Come on Rawte, be rational!”
“Rathore, I don't know why you still think she's innocent. We have proof that she did it.”
“Damn it Rawte!” He thumped his hand on the table and closed his eyes for a moment. “Tell me, what does your heart say? Ask yourself Rawte, do you think your Neha would do this?”
“What if she did it Rathore?” Arjun got up from his seat.
“What if she did not?” Both stared at each other.
“Why are we not asking Neha about this?” Aisha spoke to break the long silence.
“We should actually do that.” Liza supported.
“Okay. Fine. I'll go home and talk to her.” Arjun finally agreed.
“Please be patient and listen to her first. Like a brother and not a cop, Arjun.” Sameer said and patted his shoulder.
~
Rawte Mansion,
Arjun knocked Neha's door multiple times but there was no response. He used his keys to open the door. The strong bitter-spicy smell of whiskey filled his senses. “Neha?” He walked inside, saw a few empty bottles of whiskey lying around. One of the bottle was broken and had blood on it. “Neha?” Arjun called again, his heart pounding. He saw Neha lying unconscious on carpet, blood flowing out slowly from her slashed wrists.
“Neha!” He screamed and tried to wake her. He rushed her to the hospital.
~
Next morning,
City Hospital,
Arjun had been restless all night, the doctors had not given any satisfactory response. He was waiting in the aisle. A young man in his early twenties walked up to him, his face was calm but his brown eyes raging with fury. He was a tall man, around 5’10’’, strong muscular built, dusky complexion, and walked with a confidence of a man who knows what he is doing.
“ACP Arjun Rawte?” He said rather curtly.
“Yes.” Arjun stood up to him.
“Dr. Vikram Saigal, Neha's therapist from London. I've heard a lot about you but I'm not sure if it's true.” He said in a British accent.
“How's Neha?” Arjun asked.
“Alive so far. Her BAC, blood alcohol count was really high and we've put her on dialysis which will complete in an hour. If she doesn't wake-up within two hours, I'm afraid, she might be in coma.” Vikram said calmly.
“What? How?” Arjun was shook, “She will be fine, right?” His heart was racing and he couldn't think straight.
“Pray, she will be fine. Also, after whatever you've done to her, you really shouldn't be asking anything. In fact you shouldn't even be here.” Vikram said in a dangerously low tone.
“Listen doctor, do your job. And don't tell me what I should do. She is my sister and I know what's good for her.” Arjun was irritated by doctor's demeanour.
“Yes, of course. You just killed her ACP sir! Thank you!” Vikram said sarcastically and went in to check on Neha.
Two hours later, Neha gains consciousness and sees Vikram sitting by her side and reading magazine. “Vik? You here?”
Vikram looks up and smiles, “Yes. Now I'll do a routine check-up and you can tell how you are feeling.”
She looked around, getting familiar with the surroundings.
“Your brother is out there. You wanna see him?” He asked.
“No” she said sadly.
“He wants to see you though, don't worry, I'll not let him stay longer.” He gave her a warm smile and asked Arjun to come in. “Not more than five minutes please.” Neha stared out of the window.
“Neha,” Arjun took a deep breath, “how are you?”
“Fine.” She said in a feeble voice, still looking away.
“I'm s-sorry. I.. should have listened to you.” Arjun's voice choked.
Neha closed her eyes.
Vikram intervened, “ACP sir, please, my patient needs rest. Don't worry, I will take care of her. You should leave now, the city needs you.”
Arjun glared at him, and left, not before glancing at his sister again.
“Vik...” She opened her eyes few moments later.
“Shh.. I know what I'm doing. Trust me I'll not let them harm you in anyway. Did I not tell you to not do anything stupid while I’m away? Now I'm here, everything is going to be alright.” Vikram said and sat on her side.
“I’m not a damsel in distress, need no prince charming to save me.” Neha said plainly.
“I know, you are the queen of bad-decisions-I-took-that-ruined-my-life.”
“Gimme a nice hug, I’m starved of all affection.”
“You did it to yourself once, don’t do it again.” He whispered in her ear while embracing her warmly.
~
Same afternoon,
Sameer came in, “How is my warrior?” he asked while sitting on the chair beside her.
“Tired.” Neha said in a low voice, “You think I did-”
“No, I know you would not. Someone has definitely planted it for reasons unknown but I'll find out who did it.” Sameer assured her.
“I wish the same.”
~
Around late evening,
“Your work friends are here to see you.” Vikram announced.
“I don't feel like, doc, but it'll be rude if I don't meet, right?” Neha looked at Vikram, “Say something sweet so that I can pretend everything is normal.”
“Wait” He took his phone and showed her a short video of kittens playing, “This helps?”
“Yes! I'm ready now!” She said smiling widely. “I'm happy to see you all here. You guys missed me? Aww! I'm touched.”
“Yes, we missed you a lot!” Karan said. “Also, I brought you a playlist of some of your favourite songs put in this Bluetooth-speaker.” He gave her a small box.
She opened it, “This is so cute! Thankie loads! You the sweetest Karan!”
“Now get well soon and come back, we're waiting for you on field!” Aisha said.
“Me too!” Neha whispered to Aisha and Liza, “But that bloody doctor has said I can't go on field for at least a week. Should we beat him up ‘Girls?”
“Beat me up and I'll not let you out on field for a month.” Vikram said out loud.
“How did you hear it from that far?” Liza asked.
“Lip reading.” Vikram answered in his deep baritone.
“Thanks for coming everyone, see you in two days.” Neha smiled at them.
“Aish, Liz, wait a minute.” She called them back, “Any progress?”
“No, the only fingerprints on that bottle were yours. We don't know how and who put cocaine in your anti-depressants.” Liza answered.
“They definitely used gloves. You won't find anything there. Try with the cocaine, its quality and who sells it here.” Vikram said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Also bring a sample for me too.”
“But I did not take any of my anti-depressants for the last 5 days. I skip dozes when I feel good or just like that.”
“So, the source is something other than your pills?” Liza asked.
“Seems so.”
“We need to search more intensely now,” Aisha said, “We'll keep you posted, take care.”
“Take care babies!” Neha waved at them.
~
Next morning,
“Doc, what ya’ writing?” Neha asked Vikram.
“To-do list!” He replied without looking up. After a while, he gave it to her.
“Find a safe-house, mission report, trustworthy people and the list goes on.” Neha read out to herself. “I can manage to safe-house part and mission, I'm on it already!”
“Neha, I'm not staying at your place. I need a separate space of my own, maybe close to your house or this hospital. You have enough contacts to arrange for it.”
“But you've not allowed me to go out on my own, how do I help you?”
“I'm staying at a hotel right now, planning to shift within this week.”
“Lemme see what I can do. Shall I ask Bhaiya? He'll tell you better options. Here he comes! Gonna live a hundred years brother!”
“How are you now?” Arjun asked as he placed her favourite flowers in the vase.
“Awesome as always. Right doc?”
“Not really, but improving.” Vikram said plainly.
“Before I forget, Bhaiya, Vik doesn't have a place to stay. Can you-”
Vikram cut her short, “That's not what I said.”
“Not an issue, he can be our guest for a few days.” Arjun said reluctantly.
“No, thanks. I'll manage.” Vikram resisted.
“Be my guest!” Neha said authoritatively, “You're in my city Vik, come on! You can't say no. Also I'm not asking you to marry me!”
“Oh my god woman, calm down.” Vikram rolled his eyes. “Fine, but not more than a week and meanwhile, we find me a real elegant place to stay. I'm here for three months at least.”
“Yes!” Neha exclaimed.
“Don't be so happy, I didn't agree to marry you.” Vikram said curtly.
“One day you will.” She winked.
“Neha, please!!”
“Okay whatever.” She ignored his glares.
“I'm sorry you had to witness this ACP sir, it's her drugs getting the bes- worst out of her.” Vikram apologized.
“It's alright, I know my sister. She's just trying to make you uncomfortable, nothing much.” Arjun said.
“See, even he agrees.”
“Neha, shush.” Vikram hissed.
“You people carry on, I got work. Take care Neha.” Arjun said and left.
Making sure Arjun was out of earshot, Vikram asked, “Why did you do this?”
“I didn't want him to stay longer. Also I want to forget everything about that afternoon. Can I pretend it never happened?”
“Denial? Not really healthy coping mechanism but for a while, I'll let you do it.”
~
Late Evening,
Karan brought a bouquet of red roses.
“Why does it look like you're gonna propose me or something?” Neha asked him, sitting upright.
“Ugh, what?” Karan looked at her, flushed.
“Sorry, I was just teasing you man! Pretty roses though.” She smacked his arm.
“How are you feeling now?”
“Bored AF!”
“Oh!” Karan looked at her for a moment and then around while sitting in an awkward silence.
“Karan? Is there something you want to say? Come on, say it. I can't bear this weird silence suspense.”
“Well, actually,” he bit his lips nervously, “I.. I wanted to say..that I..I love you!”
Neha looked at him with confusion, “Well, okay, um.. thanks?” She looked at the roses, “Thanks again!”
He smiled.
She stared at him for few moments and said softly, “I..um.. really appreciate your feelings but I'm sorry... I really never thought of you as anything more than a friend. I promise, you are an amazing person but not me..”
“Neha?” He looked at her sincerely, “I just wanted to say this to you but couldn't.. actually I.. I just didn't know how to tell you. I don't want anything from you, I don't even expect you to love me back, I just wanted to let you know that I love you.”
Neha looked at him for a while, then said softly, “I'm really sorry Karan but I... wish we could still be friends?”
“I promise, our friendship won’t be affected at all.”
“Thanks!” She closed her eyes, and breathed heavily, “Take my phone and call doc, tell him I don't feel good.”
Karan called up Dr. Vikram and he came in in few minutes.
“Hi!” Vikram smiled at Karan, “'sup?” he asked Neha.
“A weird body ache, like not an ache but like burning.. Also change my cannula, it's hurting real bad.” Neha said slowly.
Vikram looked at her hand, “It's swelling, will ask a nurse to change.” And checked her pulse.
“I want you to change it Vikram, not any nurse.” She said stubbornly.
“There's a difference between training of a doctor and a nurse, my dear. They can do it better.” Vikram reasoned.
“Please Vikram, I can't tell how bad it's hurt-” Neha bit her lip and closed her eyes tightly, “Please.”
“Please don't cry! Okay, I'll do it for you, give me two minutes, alright?” Vikram looked at the saline bottle which was empty, “How did this finish so quick? It was started 40 minutes ago.”
“Nurse came to give injection, speeded it up” Neha said weakly.
“When?” He asked and looked at the medications, “None of this is given, which injection was given to you Neha?”
“Half-an hour ago, I don't know, she brought it with her.” she said and touched her nose, it was bleeding, “What is this?”
“I think it's some allergic reaction to the last medication,” Vikram took her blood for test, changed cannula and attached the machine to monitor her blood pressure and pulse rate. Two nurses came in and he instructed them, “The saline have to be given continuously and make sure the heart rate doesn't drop.” He held Neha's hand reassuringly, “Neha, relax, I'll be back in a while. Everything is fine.” and walked out, “Karan, could you please help me?”
“Sure.”
Vikram gave him the blood sample, “Check for toxins and give me a report ASAP. I need to know what was in the injection.”
“Alright.” Karan left for the lab.
Vikram called up Arjun, “ACP sir, how soon can you come to the hospital?”
“On my way, how's Neha?”
“Not good.” Vikram said and disconnected the call. He entered his temporary cabin and opened his laptop. He quickly browsed the camera footage of her ward for the last 35 minutes and found the nurse that gave the medicine. He played the live video and found that Neha has been vomiting. “Poison? Fu-k! This has gone too far.” He picked up the anti-vomiting meds and went to her ward.
“Doc? Is that blood?” Neha pointed to the red spots in her vomit.
Vikram looked at her, “No, it's not.” He gave nurse the injections, “You will feel better, don't worry.”
“Am I dying?” She asked, “my body is burning from inside.”
“No dear, it's an allergic reaction, quite strong one but you will be fine. Trust me.”
“If I’m dying, do not give me CPR or any other artificial support, no life support and shit, remember?”
“Not needed, you’ll be fine.”
Arjun came in, Neha looked very weak.
“Bhaiya, I don't wanna die..” she mumbled.
“ACP sir, we need to talk.” Vikram said and walked out of the room along with Arjun.
“Doctor, tell me what-”
“She's been given some sort of poison and I've no clue what exactly it is and so no antidote is given yet.” Vikram quickly answered as he led Arjun to his cabin.
“I will kill you if anything happens to my Neha!” Arjun held Vikram by his collar.
He jerked off Arjun's hand, “That won't be necessary. We need a pint of blood right now, so kindly arrange that.”
“Take mine, our blood is same.”
“Of course.” He went to the lab after giving the instructions to nurses.
-
“Karan, what did you get?”
“I ran multiple tests but couldn't find any toxins. Seems like they are organic, they dissolved in blood without a trace.”
“A designer poison and we have no clue about whatsoever.” He thought out loud and realized something. He returned to his room and checked the video recording again.
There were some messages on Neha's phone, “This is how it feels, when you wish death would come to you, free you from the pain and suffering but it doesn't. You have to feel this pain, there is no escape from it.” Another text read, “No, you will not die from this pain, not so soon, not yet.”
‘This nurse who gave the poison is my only chance, there's no point tracking number, won't be used again.’ Vikram thought and looked into the video footage from Neha's room and then logged in to watch the CCTV footage of the hospital to locate the nurse, who was in the medicine store room.
“What poison did you give to my Neha?” Vikram locked the door of store room from inside and questioned the woman.
“Who? What are you talking about doctor?” She sweated nervously.
“Patient in special ward number 4, what injection did you give her?”
“No… I don't know what it was.”
“But you know what this is.” Vikram pulled out a vial of hydrogen peroxide solution and an injection.
“No… please don't kill me, I, I will tell. I got this package and a letter with 50 thousand rupees. I needed money for my son's education, I did what they asked me to. I don't know what was in the vials.” She said quickly and sat down crying, “They have my son, if I don't do what they asked, they will kill him. I'm doing it for my child, please help me.”
“Where's the package and letter?”
She took out a small box from her handbag, “Here.”
Vikram quickly went through the letter.
Inject vial 1 directly in vein and vial 2 after 3 hours of first injection.
Your son is with us, if you try to contact police or tell anyone else, you never see him again.
Sending some money, rest will be given after you finish this simple little task.
A well-wisher :)
“Bloody well-wisher!” He cursed and took a closer look at the vials, the empty one had “poison” written on it in very small neat handwriting in a corner though not easily readable. The other vial had “antidote” written on it similarly.
“It's been two hours already, I'm taking the antidote with me.”
“No, they are watching my every move, I can't let you do this. They have my son.”
“I can't wait for another hour, she will die.”
“So will my son. I won't let you do this, my child is my world.”
“Then why did you tell me all this?”
“You're a doctor, you save lives, please don't let my son die, just one hour more.”
He picks up the vial of antidote, fills the injection with it, leaves the vial with her and gave her another vial, “An hour later, 5 ml to the same patient. Don't worry about your son. You have my word.”
~
Vikram came back to Neha’s ward and gave her the antidote. She had been put on oxygen and blood transfusion was taking place. “You will be fine.” He turned to Arjun and handed over Neha’s phone to him. “There’s a message, you should see.”
Arjun read the message and called Shree, “Sending you a number, track it.”
“ACP Sir, I have this under control, you should take necessary action against the culprits.” Vikram suggested.
“Don’t tell me what to do. I’m not leaving her alone, not again.”
15 minutes later, Neha’s condition was more stable.
Sameer called in to check the situation.
“It’s not so good Rathore,” Arjun said, “Someone tried to poison her.”
“Shree told me that he has tracked the location of that message sender. We are caught up with another case but I’ll let you take him along if you want to find them.” Sameer said.
“I don’t want to leave Neha like this Rathore, it doesn’t feel right.”
“I understand Rawte, but you are not really helping by staying there. Do what you feel is right. Take care of our little princess.”
“Yes.” Arjun said and disconnected the call.
“Sir, trust me, she is doing better now.” Vikram said, “If you don’t find them now, you probably won’t find them again. You can’t let them escape.”
“You don’t sound like a doctor.”
“I sound like a sensible human? I have been working with the Scotland Yard Police Department as a weekly counsellor for the last 3 years. Just saying.”
Arjun said sternly, “Sakshi is here, she will stay along with Neha, make sure she is fine till I come back.”
“I will do all that I need to. Don’t worry.” Vikram assured.
An hour later, the nurse went up to Neha's room and gave her an injection. Sakshi was on the watch by her side. A few minutes later Neha’s pulse rate began dropping.
“Doctor, what is happening?” Sakshi asked concernedly.
“Dropping pulse rate, not good. Sister, bring some Atropine.”
“Doc… no CPR…” Neha said in a barely audible voice.
“Neha, I have no choice. I have to save you.”
“No…”
“Shut up, I am the doctor, I will decide what treatment is to be given.” Vikram tried to keep his calm but was failing.
“My body, my decisi-” She said frailly.
“You can’t put me in this moral dilemma, it’s a delicate situation.” Vikram tried to reason with her but she was adamant.
“Please play Bohemian Rhapsody, from 1.56 seconds” Neha whispered.
“You want background music at this moment? You live for drama, Queen!” Vikram forced a smile.
…Too late, my time has come
Sends shivers down my spine…
~
Arjun and Shree had reached the location- a crowded marketplace.
“Sir, how do we find who was this person in this crowd? The phone is switched off now.”
“We have to find him Shree, do your best.”
~
…Body's aching all the time
Goodbye everybody, I've got to go
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth…
Sakshi was panicking, “Doctor, why are you not doing anything?? You can’t let her die.”
“Its not just her wish, she has it in her living will and also has it tattooed on her chest, she does not want any artificial mechanisms to keep her alive. I have to respect it.” Vikram explained.
“You will let her die?”
“I’m trying my best, but things are not working.”
The nurse came in, “We don’t have a stock of Atropine, I’ve sent a message, we will get it in some time.”
“I hope it’s not too late.” Vikram said ominously as he looked at the heart rate monitor which had lines breaking abruptly.
After a few minutes, the lines ran straight, the machine was beeping loudly and there was an eerie silence in the ward. Vikram checked his watch, two minutes later, he removed the oxygen mask from her face and pulled the sheet over her face.
Sakshi said in a low, scared voice, “Doc? What happened?”
Vikram closed his eyes and bit his lip, “Sh..she’s no more.”
“NO!!” Sakshi screamed, “You can’t die this soon! Neha!!! Wake up!!”
“It is a difficult time, control yourself.” Vikram said, “You have to inform others.”
“Okay.” She said wiping her tears and left.
~
“The poison worked, she is dead. It was a nice, slow and painful death, much like I thought it would be.” Sakshi said over phone.
“Dead? But we gave the antidote as well? What about that? Boss won’t be happy.” A heavy voice responded.
“I don’t know what you did. You answer him. I am not talking.”
“No. This was your idea. You talk.”
“Fine.” Sakshi cut the call and dialled another number. It was picked after 3 full rings, a heavily drunk husky voice responded, “What?”
“She’s dead.” Sakshi said plainly.
“Who?”
“Neha”
“Shut the fu-k up! How dare you say that?” He roared.
“I’m not lying. It has happened. She is dead.”
He remained silent for few moments he yelled, “What part of ‘keep an eye on her means you are free to kill her? I swear, if what you’re saying is true, I swear I’ll give you the most painful death ever, you whore!”
~
In a poor neighbourhood, with narrow lanes and small houses, a shadow moved swiftly across them and stopped at the house no. 27, knocked the door. It was opened by a ruffian looking man.
“What?” He said rather roughly and looked at the person, wearing a black mask, only his eyes were visible.
“You have a kid in here?” the shadow asked.
“Who sent you?”
“Sikander!”
“Confirmation?”
The shadow took out his phone and showed a picture, “Done?”
“Okay. Kaalya, let’s go.” He said and another man came out and both of them left the house.
The shadow went in the house, a 12 year old boy lay in a corner, limbs tied. He untied the child and checked his pulse, it was slow but steady. A handkerchief was lying on his side, it had a faint smell of chloroform. He picked the child and placed him comfortably in bed, locked the house and went behind those two men.
“Take me to your boss.” The shadow pointed a gun at Kaalya’s head.
“D.don’t shoot! We take you there.” Kaalya said in his shaky voice.
“Sweet.”
15 minutes later, the trio reached an abandoned textile mill, which now served as a warehouse for the anti-social elements.
“Both of you, go in and tell your boss that you have done your work. Also, thanks for bringing me here.” The shadow said in a menacing voice, the duo agreed and went in.
The shadow looked around the outer boundaries, main gate was guarded by two armed men. He sneaked from the corner, waited for one to return to the pole, snapped his neck and waited for the other one to come around and repeated.
The shadow moved in the mill discreetly and killed all the men in ten minutes. He then went on to see their boss, who was smoking hash.
“Who do you work for?” The shadow asked sternly.
“I am my own boss.” He said sluggishly.
“Why did you have to poison her? Who asked you to do that?”
“We didn’ want to kill her, but it’s a bonus.”
“Pick up your gun and shoot yourself.”
“What if I don’t?”
“I’ll give you another poison, it will leave you paralyzed for 10 days, killing you slowly and very painfully. Or shoot yourself. Don’t waste my time.”
The boss looked at this man, he was filling up a syringe. He stared for a while and shot himself in his head.
“Bloody coward!” the shadow sighed and looked around. He found a huge stack of cocaine. He picked up one packet and pocketed it and clicked pictures of rest of the stock and left just as discreetly.
~
Meanwhile at ETF, Chotu received a call and he went on to inform the team, “In a suspicious shootout at Rajlakshumi Textile Mills, 30 people are killed including a high profile drug dealer.”
“Aisha, you and Chotu go and take a look at the situation. I will ask Rawte to join you.” Sameer said and called up Arjun, “Rawte, got a situation at Rajlakshumi Textile Mills, be there as soon as you can.”
“On my way.”
“Did you find anything related to-”
“A broken mobile and a burnt sim card in a dustbin, no other traces.” Arjun voiced disappointedly.
~
About 40 minutes later, Aisha and Chotu reached Rajlakshumi Textile Mills and were shortly joined by Arjun and Shree.
“Sir,” Chotu looked at the crime scene, “it seems like they killed each-other and their boss committed suicide.”
“It is murder Chotu, made to look like suicide,” Arjun said, “see beyond what is shown.”
“Arjun sir!” Aisha called out, “There’s about 50 kilos of cocaine in here and a packet or two missing.”
“Find the packet, find the killer.” Arjun stated.
Shree was looking at the dead boss’ phone, “Sir, we found him, he sent the message across, there are a few versions of text in drafts.”
“And now he is dead,” Arjun added, “who killed him becomes even more important now.”
Sakshi came in sobbing, “A..ar..Arjun”
“Sakshi? Why are you crying? Wh-why did you come here? You were supposed to be with Neha!” Arjun was getting restless.
“N..Neha.. died-” Sakshi whispered.
“What nonsense?” Arjun shouted.
“I saw it with my own eyes,” Sakshi composed herself, “I don’t want to believe it either, but it’s true. She is no more.” She showed a picture of Neha, the monitor on her side showing straight lines.
“This is a lie. It’s not possible, not my -” Arjun’s throat ran dry.
“Sakshi!” Aisha came to her side, “No, this is not real. She can’t die just like that, no…”
“I know, I suspect that doctor actually let her die.” Sakshi added, “You know, she was having a very low pulse rate and the doctor didn’t even try CPR or that electric shock thing to revive her. He just said that she told him not to. Is that even possible? Why would someone say they don’t want any artificial methods to revive them?”
“She always said that if my God wants me to die, I won’t fight it.” Arjun whimpered, “she really meant it…” and fell on his knees, crying his heart out.
Aisha hugged Sakshi and shed silent tears. Shree sat down in a corner and leaned on Chotu’s shoulder, “Why does God do this to us every-time? Why do we always have to lose such amazing friends? First Riya, now Neha…”
“Bappa, please tell me this is a lie.” Chotu said and hugged Shree.
~*~
